History shows a better strategy than shutdown for reducing the deficit

History shows a better strategy than shutdown for reducing the deficit

Congress has just hours to keep the federal government from grinding to a halt, and a last-minute deal seems increasingly unlikely. The problem is that lawmakers need to pass a dozen appropriations bills — or a single continuing resolution — by midnight on Sept. 30 in order to keep the government’s lights on. But a key group of House Republicans is refusing to pass anything without steep spending cuts. No bills, no government — at least for a fe…