what is the government shutdown

A government shutdown occurs when the legislative branch fails to pass key funding bills that authorize the operations of the executive branch, leading to a partial or full cessation of government functions. This happens when there is a lapse in government funding, often due to a political stalemate preventing the approval of the federal budget or a temporary funding measure such as a continuing resolution. During a shutdown, non-essential government services and operations cease, and many federal workers are furloughed without pay, although essential services related to national security, public safety, and mandatory programs like Social Security and Medicare continue to operate. In the U.S., government shutdowns have occurred periodically since 1980 as a result of failure to pass appropriations bills before existing funding expires. They cause disruptions across various government agencies, close national parks and institutions, and have significant economic impacts such as reduced government revenue and slowed economic growth. Shutdowns also create uncertainty and inconvenience for the public, for instance, causing delays in immigration hearings, federal loans, and certain social services. The most recent shutdown began on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass funding legislation by the deadline, marking the first shutdown in six years. The shutdown has led to furloughs of hundreds of thousands of federal workers and the closure of many government offices, while essential services like border protection, emergency medical care, and air traffic control continue to function.