A government shutdown occurs when the legislative branch fails to pass funding bills or a temporary funding measure to finance federal government operations for the next fiscal year. Without authorized funding, many government agencies must stop non-essential functions, furlough non-essential employees, and only retain essential workers involved in protecting human life and property. Essential services like national security, air traffic control, Social Security, and Medicare typically continue during a shutdown. The shutdown lasts until funding legislation is passed and signed into law. In the United States, the shutdown happens due to a lapse in appropriations, often related to political disagreements, and results in the suspension of various government activities and services. Federal employees placed on furlough are usually paid retroactively once the shutdown ends. Shutdowns can disrupt many government services, reduce government revenue, and have economic consequences. The most recent shut downs have affected hundreds of thousands of federal workers and several federal departments, with historical shutdowns being driven by disputes over budget priorities or policy issues. Shutdowns are specific to governments like that of the U.S. where the executive cannot continue spending without legislative approval of appropriation bills.
