The True Cost of Government Shutdowns

Publication

The True Cost of Government Shutdowns

Abstract

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations conducted an investigation into the cost of government shutdowns to the American taxpayer. The Subcommittee surveyed 26 federal agencies and found the last three government shutdowns (as of 2019) cost taxpayers nearly $4 billion; at least $3.7 billion in back pay to furloughed federal workers, and at least $338 million in other costs associated with the shutdowns, including extra administrative work, lost revenue, and late fees on interest payments.