A government shutdown means that non-essential federal government functions are temporarily frozen because Congress has not passed the necessary funding legislation. This results in many government agencies reducing operations or closing, furloughing non-essential workers who do not get paid until funding resumes. Essential services related to safety, security, and health continue to operate during the shutdown. The shutdown lasts until Congress reaches an agreement on the budget or a temporary funding measure is passed and signed into law.
What Happens During a Government Shutdown
- Federal agencies must stop all non-essential discretionary activities.
- Essential employees continue working but may not be paid immediately.
- Programs funded by fees or separate legislation may continue operating.
- Services like Social Security, veterans' health care, air traffic control, and law enforcement keep running.
- Many public institutions like national parks and museums may close temporarily.
Causes and Process
- A shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass or agree on appropriations bills before the fiscal year begins, or at the deadline for continuing funding.
- Budget disagreements, often political, prevent the passage of these bills.
- Congress can pass continuing resolutions to temporarily maintain funding and avoid shutdowns.
Impacts
- Government employees in non-essential roles are furloughed without pay during the shutdown but typically receive back pay after it ends.
- Shutdowns delay government services, reduce economic activity, and can cost billions in lost productivity and economic output.
This explains that a government shutdown is a financial and operational freeze of non-essential federal government activities caused by budgetary stalemates in Congress. The government resumes full operations only after funding is restored.
