The phrase “history repeats itself” is widely known and often used for various reasons.
It highlights recurring patterns in human behavior, societal trends and historical or political events.
That’s where Hamilton: An American Musical comes in. The comparison for this analysis: is history really repeating itself?
By examining a quote from the musical alongside a contemporary political story, we can explore whether the ideals, conflicts and ambitions that shaped the early republic are echoing in current events, or if what appears familiar is simply history’s rhyming, not its repetition.
This week’s edition helps us understand that while congressional approval is a common practice both in Hamilton and today, we are currently facing an urgent and unique need for it amidst the current government shutdown.
At the center of the shutdown crisis is a familiar scene: two sides, one budget and no compromise. Lawmakers in both chambers remain rigid over health-care subsidies, immigration spending and climate-related funding, leaving the government without a functioning budget since Oct. 1.
Republicans have pushed for sweeping spending cuts and policy concessions, while Democrats refuse to link those issues to a short-term funding bill. Multiple votes have failed in the Senate, and negotiations show little signs of progress, allowing for comparison to Jefferson and Madison’s taunts in Hamilton: “You’re gonna need congressional approval, and you don’t have the votes.”
Centuries later, the lyric is painfully relevant. The struggle between ambition and legislative resistance, and the frustration of no consensus remains as defining now as it was in the nation’s early years.
The shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1, when Congress failed to pass a stopgap spending bill to fund the government into the new fiscal year. The dispute has now produced the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history, only behind the 35-day closure in 2018-19.
Despite repeated attempts, the Senate has failed 12 times to move forward on a compromise. With talks stalled, federal agencies have been forced to scale back or cease operations entirely.
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are either furloughed or working without pay. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NASA have furloughed large portions of their staff, while the National Park Service has closed visitor centers and many popular tourist destinations.
In an unusual move, the Department of Defense confirmed that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help cover military pay, a temporary solution that underscores the strain of the shutdown.
Economists estimate the shutdown is costing the U.S. economy between $7-$15 billion per week in lost output. Federal contractors and small businesses tied to government projects are reporting layoffs and financial pressure.
Social programs are beginning to feel the pressure, as food banks are preparing for surges in demand with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nearing its funding limit. The Department of Agriculture has not yet drawn from a $5 billion emergency fund that could temporarily sustain benefits, raising concern among hunger-relief organizations.
No new votes happened this weekend, and agencies are preparing for the shutdown to continue into November. While essential services such as Social Security payments, veterans’ health care and air-traffic control remain operational, most departments are functioning at minimal capacity.
Economists warn that even if Congress reaches a deal soon, the damage will linger for months as agencies restart operations, contractors rehire workers and families recover lost income.
So, Washington remains locked in the same political struggle that has defined it for generations. And as Jefferson warned Hamilton in song, and history reminds us in practice, governing America often comes down to one truth: “You don’t have the votes.”
