A government shutdown means that the federal government has stopped all non- essential functions due to a failure by Congress to pass the necessary funding bills to finance government operations. During a shutdown, non-essential government services cease, federal employees in non-essential roles are furloughed without pay, and only essential services related to safety, human life, and property protection continue operating. Essential employees work without pay until the shutdown ends, and furloughed workers receive back pay once funding is restored. Critical operations such as the FBI, CIA, air traffic control, Social Security, veteran healthcare, and the US Postal Service generally continue during a shutdown. Shutdowns occur because of political disagreements over the budget and can significantly disrupt public services and the economy until resolved.
