The U.S. government shutdown has finally come to an end after 43 days that resulted in thousands of flights being cancelled or delayed , food aid benefits for millions of Americans being jeopardized and hundreds of thousands of federal workers being furloughed.

But the question is: Which party bears responsibility for this shutdown? Let’s look at the facts as to who bears responsibility, not the misleading rhetoric.

First, the shutdown’s genesis resulted from the Congress’ inability to timely pass the required 12 appropriations bills necessary to fund the government for the next fiscal year that began on October 1. Neither party has been timely in passing a budget: 1997 was the last time that Congress passed a budget on time .

Accordingly, on September 19, the House R

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