Government shutdown 2011

Congressional leaders agreed late Friday to a compromise that will keep the federal government funded for the remainder of the fiscal year — averting a government shutdown barely an hour before it was set to start.

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US President Barack Obama visits the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on April 9, 2011. A last-gasp deal slashing spending prevented a government shutdown set for Saturday, on Friday evening.

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Tourists from Citadel High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia visit the Washington Monument on the day after a government shutdown was averted. Left to right: Kalli Harvey, 17, Eva Jackson, 17, Jeannie Richardson, Marnie Breed, both 16, and Paulina Lockwood jump for a snapshot taken by their classmates on April 9, 2011.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

A tourists holds a ticket for entry to the Washington Monument on April 9, 2011.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jeannie Richardson, left, clasps hands with Eva Jackson as they visit the monument.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

Tourists line up outside the Washington Monument.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

Citadel High School students - Marnie Breed 16, left, Jeannie Richardson and Kalli Harvey 17 take pictures of the monument.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

Tourists from Texas take snapshots near the Washington Monument.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

Tourists touch the exterior of the Washington Monument.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jeannie Richardson, left, hugs Eva Jackson while visiting the monument.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

April Le, 5, from Ohio visits the Washington Monument with her mother on the day after a government shutdown was averted.

Carol Guzy / THE WASHINGTON POST

April 8, 2011

House Speaker John Boener (R-Ohio) announces a budget deal at the U.S. Capitol on April 8, 2011. “I’m pleased that Senator Reid and I and the White House have been able to come to an agreement that will, in fact, cut spending and keep our government open,” Boehner said.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

The agreement came together in a few frantic hours at the near-deserted Capitol, with a midnight deadline looming.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

"Today, Americans of different beliefs came together," President Obama said. He said the cuts would be painful, but necessary to maintain the country's fiscal health: "We protected the investments we need to win the future."

Reuters

April 8, 2011

"We didn't do it at this late hour for drama, we did it because it's been very hard to arrive at this point," Sen. Harry Reid said.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appears after the deal is reached. The cuts, if enacted, would add up to the largest budget reduction for federal agencies in U.S. history.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

McConnell makes his way to his office from the Senate Chambers. With an agreement, Congress seemed to have resolved a battle that had been brewing since last fall’s elections.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

On Friday, Obama, who had called congressional leaders to the White House three times in the previous two days to hash out an agreement, played a less public role in the debate.

SAUL LOEB / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

April 8, 2011

After a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), center, with about half of the caucus in attendance, briefs reporters on the budget negotiations.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Leeann Hart takes home a plant from her office at the Federal Aviation Administration in case of a shutdown.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Kritin Arya, 14, of Rochester, Mich., takes photos on the grounds of the Washington Monument. The grounds would close if the government shut down.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

The last group of visitors exits the Washington Monument.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Federal employee Tatiana Pacheco, who works for the Smithsonian Institution, tries to catch a ride to Virginia at the slug line on 14th Street between Constitution and Independence avenues. Many federal workers who use the slug line took home some of their personal items in case they were furloughed next week because of a government shutdown. Pacheco took the food she kept in the refrigerator with her just in case.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Closed for business? The U.S. Capitol at dusk as a potential shutdown drew nearer.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

People wait for their rides outside the Department of Transportation.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid, with approximately half of the Senate Democratic Caucus in attendance, briefs reporters on the budget negotiations.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Paula Smith, known as Paula the Dock Lady, has worked for 20 years at Fletcher's Boat House, a private business on the C&O Canal that would have to close in a shutdown.

Carol Guzy / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Paula Smith called the potential shutdown a "shame." Assistant manager Dan Ward said this is a major fishing weekend. "The fish aren't going to hang around and say, 'Oh, the government's shut down, we'll wait another week.' There will be a lot of mad fishermen trying to get in here."

Carol Guzy / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Commuters crowd an escalator at L'Enfant Metro Station. Federal employees are concerned about a shutdown and potential loss of pay.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, including, left to right, Kay Kagan (N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Christopher Coons (Del.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) attend a press briefing on the budget negotiations.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Visitors line up outside the U.S. Capitol building on what could be the last day to visit if the government shuts down Saturday morning.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

After a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting and a press conference, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) further briefs reporters on the 2011 budget negotiations.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

House Speaker John A. Boehner (Ohio) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill after briefing his fellow Republicans on the negotiations over the 2011 budget.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Stephanie Grosser, left, with the U.S. Agency for International Development joins others in a rally at Edward J. Kelly Park in the District. The rally, sponsored by the American Foreign Service Association, encouraged members to gather to show support for colleagues across the government as a shutdown loomed.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Quinn Chandler, 6, sat atop his father, Charles Chandler, who works at the State Department, at a rally in Edward J. Kelly Park in the District. At the rally, government workers expressed support for their colleagues in the face of a shutdown during which many would be furloughed.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Kerry S. Humphrey, center, with the State Department, takes part at the government-worker rally at Edward J. Kelly Park in the District.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill about the negotiations between Democrats and Republicans on the 2011 budget.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) talks with reporters about the budget negotiations.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill. Reid said the main point of dispute was over funding for Planned Parenthood.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 8, 2011

Tourists pass the Capitol Hill office of House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) while budget negotiations go on behind closed doors.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, right, laughs at a question about whether he'd be considered essential as Jeff Zients, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, talks about shutting down the government during the daily briefing at the White House.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Statues of Grief and History on the Peace Monument at the foot of the U.S. Capitol building on the eve of a possible U.S. government shutdown.

Bill O'Leary / The Wasington Post

April 7, 2011

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) talks to the news media about negotiations on the 2011 budget on Capitol Hill. A successfully negotiated deal would avoid a government shut down with a deadline of midnight Friday.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Twenty-two year horticulturist at U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory and federal worker, Wally Reed, center, takes a picture of tourists. If the government does shut down at midnight Friday, Reed will be considered an "essential" worker, and he'll be caring for the plants even though the Garden's doors will be locked.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Slade Lutz, 15, photographs at Arlington Cemetery. Lutz is with the Fairhope high school band that is scheduled to perform in the Cherry Blossom Festival parade, but that may not happen if the government shuts down.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Left to right: Taft Parker, Maurlo Parker, and Ellen Parker, 3, leave the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory. If the government shuts down at midnight Friday "essential" workers will still need to care for the plants.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Congressman Jim Moran, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, holds an emergency town hall meeting at Francis C Hammond Middle School.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Carrie Sheridan expresses her frustration during during the meeting.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Shelby Stevens, left, rubbs his face during athe meeting.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

University of the District of Columbia students, Tyrone Chisholm, left, and Katharine Wilkerson, center, study at the Arts and Sciences Library on campus. The school will be closed if the federal government is unable to agree on a fiscal budget.

Matt McClain / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Members of the Fairhope High School band is scheduled to perform in the Cherry Blossom Festival parade, but that may not happen if the government shuts down.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

University of the District of Columbia student, Dacya Abrahamyan, a double major in studio art and graphic design, studies on campus.

Matt McClain / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Fairhope High School students raised $85,000 to get to D.C., in hopes of performing at the festival.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

University of the District of Columbia students, Miftahul Qorib, left, and Kshitiz Baral study on campus in Washington. The school will be closed if the federal government is unable to agree on a fiscal budget.

Matt McClain / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) speaks to the media about budget negotiations on Capitol Hill.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) meets the media to talk about the 2011 budget. “There is no agreement on a number. There is no agreement on the policy,” he said Thursday. “We are not there yet.”

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) appear before the media to talk about the efforts to reach agreement on a budget. “It’s not easy to do, but it’s doable,” Reed said Thursday.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), left, and House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) depart a meeting with the president at the White House.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 7, 2011

Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) speaks to reporters about negotiations on the 2011 budget. “It’s time for Speaker Boehner to acknowledge we have an agreement, " Durbin said Thursday, "and he has to tell his tea party rough riders to put their horses in the barn and save this argument for another day.”

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

As budget negotiations forge ahead, House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) take part in a press conference with Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

Don Kelley, center, joined other AFGE union members in a rally in Falls Church, Va., to protest of a possible government shutdown and federal employees furloughs. Kelly is a legal assistant with the Social Security Administration.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

As negotiations for the 2011 budget continue, the House Budget Committee, led by Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), marks up the Republicans' proposed 2012 budget on Capitol Hill.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

Lucy Colburn, 5, and her sister, Molly, 2, pose for family photos at the entrance to the National Zoo, one of many Washington area attractions that could close if the government shuts down.

Carol Guzy / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

Sophia Bresnan, 2, watches the elephants at the National Zoo.

Carol Guzy / The Washington Post

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio), left, and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) emerge from a meeting on the budget.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) looks at reporters as he emerges from a meeting on the budget.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

People visit the National Zoo. The zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution, which would have to close its facilities if a budget agreement is not reached by April 8.

Carol Guzy / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), left, greets members of Americans for Prosperity who were holding a tea party rally outside the U.S. Capitol to emphasize their desire for major spending cuts in the budget.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

U.S. flags and Gadsden flags fly in the breeze as Americans for Prosperity holds a tea party rally outside the Capitol to support spending cuts.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) fires up the crowd at an Americans for Prosperity rally for spending cuts outside the Capitol.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) poses for a photo as she greets Americans for Prosperity members at a rally outside the Capitol.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), center, speaks to fellow lawmakers before a markup of the Republicans' proposed 2012 budget.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), right, during the negotiations.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

Maureen Giordano came to the Americans for Prosperity rally for spending cuts from Rockland County, N.Y.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

Rep. Renee L. Ellmers (R-N.C.) speaks during the Americans for Prosperity rally outside the Capitol.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 6, 2011

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), center, takes part in a news conference with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Capitol Hill as budget negotiations press ahead.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill after having met with President Obama. The two attempted to reach an agreement on the 2011 federal budget, but talks fell through. "There was no agreement, so those conversations will continue. We made clear that we’re fighting for the largest spending cuts possible," Boehner told reporters.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

While twisting papers in his hands, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) along with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), and House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.), spoke to journalists after meeting with President Obama at the White House. Moments before Republicans took the podium, the president made a surprise address to reporters during the White House press briefing Tuesday.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

After Senate policy luncheons, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) speaks to reporters about the 2011 budget negotiations on Capitol Hill. Reid continued to accuse Republicans of not being “fair and reasonable” in their demands for higher cuts and specific changes to social and regulatory policies.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) leads a news conference to unveil the 2012 Republican budget proposal on Capitol Hill. As a potential shutdown loomed, Republicans attempted to move the ball forward on the upcoming budget, proposing a plan that would spend $6.2 trillion less during the next decade than that proposed by President Obama.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Speaker of the House John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) rushes off to the White House for a meeting with congressonal leadership and the president during a week of U.S. budget negotiations. Boehner's aides deflected reports that the speaker is setting a new target of $40 billion in cuts, but he also rejected the $33 billion figure that Republican leaders in the House and Democratic leaders in the Senate had been working toward.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) presents the Republican 2012 budget proposal during a news conference. “We believe in this country that we ought to have a social safety net," Ryan said. "The problem is our social safety net is fraying at the seams."

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

From left, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) meet in the "green room" before a news conference to unveil the 2012 Republican budget proposal on Capitol Hill. Starting in 2022, the Republican budget proposal would end Medicare as an open-ended entitlement for new retirees and begin slowly raising the age of eligibility from 65 to 67.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) makes his way to talk with reporters after the weekly policy comittee luncheon at the Capitol. “I’m not negotiating here what we’re going to do ultimately,” he told reporters.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) talks with reporters after the weekly policy comittee luncheon at the Capitol. A late-day meeting between Boehner and Reid in the speaker’s office produced no breakthroughs, but aides to both lawmakers issued identical statements calling it “a productive discussion” -- a significant shift in tone after a week in which the two traded accusations across the Capitol.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) makes a phone call outside the room where Democrats held their weekly policy comittee luncheon at the Capitol. The deadline for a government shutdown is midnight Friday. If lawmakers fail to reach an agreement on the federal budget, a number of government agencies and programs will cease to operate.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), left, makes his way toward the weekly policy comittee luncheon at the Capitol, passing Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), right.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), addresses reporters as House Republicans hold a news conference to tout their budget proposal at the Capitol. If the House approves it, Republican leaders could use it as a guide to begin framing specific tax and health-care policies.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

House Republicans hold a news conference, headed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), on screen at left, to present their 2012 budget proposal. The only immediate sign of dissent came from the conservative Republican Study Committee, whose leaders vowed to draft an alternative spending plan that would cut spending even more deeply.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), foreground, bows his head after making remarks with Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), left. Ryan's plan did not call for any specific changes in Social Security, the single largest federal program, which provides income support to nearly 60 million seniors and disabled workers.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Crowds gather at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. A shutdown would significantly affect its parent instutition, the Smithsonian, which is just hitting its peak visitor season as families and school groups travel to Washington to soak up the history and enjoy the free museums.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

If budget talks break down Friday evening and a government shutdown starts Saturday morning, about 500,000 visitors could be turned away this weekend alone from the National Zoo and the major Smithsonian museums on the Mall, including the National Air and Space Museum.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

April 5, 2011

Chuck Fritz, 70, of Waukon, Iowa, passes under an Apollo Space Module at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Museums have already sold 23,000 advance tickets for lunches and IMAX theater shows for this month -- and thousands more show up daily to eat and watch movies.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

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