Credit: CQ Roll Call / Cagle.com via Getty Images
Source: Cagle Cartoons
Byline: R.J. Matson
Byline Title: Editorial Cartoonist
Create Date: 20251001
Headline: US Government Shutdown Unplugs Capitol Building In Budget Crisis
Category: A
Caption: WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 1: In this satirical editorial cartoon titled "Government Shutdown" by R.J. Matson, published by CQ Roll Call via Cagle Cartoons, the U.S. Capitol building is depicted as an unplugged electrical appliance with its power cord pulled out and lying on the ground, resembling a giant plug disconnected from a socket, accompanied by the text "Please stand by..." floating above, symbolizing a temporary halt in operations. The cartoon addresses the topic of recurring U.S. government shutdowns caused by congressional failures to pass budget and spending bills, involving disputes between the House, Senate, and parties over taxes, benefits, and fiscal policy, with the cartoonist conveying that these shutdowns effectively "power down" essential government functions, leading to disruptions and standby mode for public services, critiquing the inefficiency, partisanship, and avoidable crises in American governance. (Illustration by R.J. Matson / CQ Roll Call / Cagle Cartoons via Getty Images)
Supplemental Categories: POL FIN DIS HUM ECO
Copyright: Copyright - 2025 R.J. Matson
City: Washington
State: DC
Country/Country Code: USA / United States
Keywords/Tags: Political Cartoons, Editorial Cartoon, Cagle Cartoons, R.J. Matson, CQ Roll Call, Government Shutdown, US Capitol, Power Cord, Plug, Unplugged, Please Stand By, Budget Crisis, Congress, House, Senate, Taxes, Benefits, Fiscal Policy, Satirical Illustration, Political Satire, Partisanship, Governance Inefficiency, Public Services Disruption, World, Globe, American Flag