what does it mean for the government to shutdown

A government shutdown means that the legislative branch fails to pass the necessary funding bills that authorize government operations, leading to the partial or full cessation of government functions. During a shutdown, federal agencies must halt all non-essential discretionary activities, furlough many federal employees, and only keep essential personnel working—such as those involved in protecting human life and property—usually without immediate pay until funding is restored. Essential programs funded through mandatory spending, like Social Security and Medicare, generally continue operating. Shutdowns can disrupt a wide range of government services and create delays in processes that rely on federal funding. This situation arises commonly when Congress and the President cannot agree on budget legislation before the start of the new fiscal year, leading to a funding gap that triggers the shutdown.