A government shutdown means that the federal government stops all non- essential operations due to Congress's failure to pass funding legislation. During a shutdown, federal agencies cannot spend money without approved funding, so non-essential services are frozen, many federal workers are furloughed without pay until the government reopens, and only essential services related to public safety and protection continue operating. Programs funded by mandatory spending, like Social Security and Medicare, and some independent services like the Postal Service, generally continue despite a shutdown. Shutdowns disrupt various government functions such as national parks, immigration hearings, and some federal loans, and create uncertainty until Congress passes a new funding bill or continuing resolution to restore operations.
