October 1, 2025
Trump claims impoundment power, triggering 43-day government shutdown
Trump freezes $410 billion Congress appropriated, claiming Constitution lets presidents refuse to spend
🏛️Government🏢Legislative Process
Government shutdown began Oct. 1, 2025 and lasted 43 days—longest in U.S. history
Trump administration froze approximately $410 billion in congressionally appropriated spending
900,000 federal employees furloughed; 700,000 forced to work without pay
Head Start programs serving 65,000 children suspended; NIH research grants halted
Trump claimed Impoundment Control Act of 1974 unconstitutionally limits executive power
Administration selectively continued military pay while canceling $27 billion in Democratic-district projects
Supreme Court declined emergency review of conflicting lower court rulings
🏛️Government🏢Legislative Process
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 eliminated the president's unilateral authority to refuse spending money Congress appropriated.
Q2
President Lyndon Johnson used impoundment before Nixon, but Johnson's impoundments were smaller and he consulted with appropriators.
Q3
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon spoke on the Senate floor for 22 hours and 37 minutes. What was he protesting?
Q4
Russell Vought leads the Office of Management and Budget. In July 2025, what did Vought say about the Impoundment Control Act of 1974?
Q5
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the government shutdown could cost the U.S. economy how much?
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Donald Trump
President
Mike Johnson
House Speaker
John Thune
Senate Majority Leader
OMB Director
Executive agency head
Richard Nixon
Former President (historical)