Why did the U.S. government shut down last month? Because President Bill Clinton and Congress could not agree on a budget. The budget is the amount of money the U.S. is allowed to spend on everything from health care to parks.
For years the government has spent more money than it takes in. Last week President Clinton vetoed Congress's plan to stop this overspending and offered his own plan. If he and Congress can't agree on a plan by December 15, the government will shut down again.