what does the government shut down mean

A government shutdown means that the federal government stops all non- essential operations because Congress fails to pass funding legislation. Non- essential government functions freeze, and many government employees are furloughed without pay until funding is approved. Essential services related to safety and security, such as the FBI, CIA, air traffic control, and military, continue operating, but non-essential agencies close, national parks shut, and many public services are disrupted during the shutdown. Typically, once the government reopens, furloughed workers are paid retroactively, but contractors may not be. The shutdown results from political disagreements over budget approval, and it can have significant economic and operational impacts until a funding deal is reached.