what does it mean when a government shuts down

When a government shuts down, it means that non-essential government functions and services stop because Congress has failed to pass funding bills to finance government operations. In this situation, federal agencies cannot spend money without an approved budget, so they must halt most of their activities until funding is restored. Essential services related to national safety and security, like air traffic control, law enforcement, and emergency medical care, typically continue to operate, but many government workers are furloughed and temporarily not paid. This affects public services such as national parks, immigration hearings, and other federal programs, causing widespread disruption until a funding deal is reached and the government reopens.