A government shutdown means that the federal government stops all non- essential operations because Congress has failed to pass funding legislation to authorize government spending. During a shutdown, non-essential government services are frozen, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed (temporarily laid off without pay). Essential services related to safety, national security, and critical operations continue but with limited staff, often without immediate pay. Non-essential functions like national parks, immigration hearings, and some administrative services are suspended until funding is restored. Once the government reopens, most furloughed employees receive retroactive pay.
Key points about a government shutdown include:
- Occurs when Congress does not approve the budget or a temporary funding measure before the fiscal year starts.
- Essential services continue (FBI, CIA, border security, air traffic control).
- Non-essential services are paused, and workers are furloughed.
- Social Security, Medicare, and the US Postal Service continue operating as they are funded differently.
- Shutdowns can cause disruptions in various government services and impact the economy.
The most recent US government shutdown started on October 1, 2025, after a failed agreement on temporary funding legislation.
