Why does the government shut down?
The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills that fund the operations of federal agencies and programs. These appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. If a new appropriations bill isn't enacted by this deadline, Congress needs to pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government's funding at its current level. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to a lack of authorized funding.
What government services and programs are impacted during a government shutdown, and what effect does this have on the public?
A government shutdown, whether partial or full, impacts a variety of services and programs.
During the 2018-2019 partial shutdown, the Food and Drug Administration suspended routine inspections, increasing public health risks. The National Park Service halted trash collection and road repairs, resulting in unsanitary conditions and unsafe roads, while some national parks and museums were forced to close entirely. The shutdown also threatened the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in some states, putting low-income families and children at risk of hardship. These disruptions illustrate how shutdowns can have a detrimental effect on public services and society's most vulnerable members.
What happens to federal employees during a shutdown?
Federal employees from shut-down agencies are either furloughed—prohibited from work and unpaid—or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety. While Congress has traditionally approved retroactive payment for these employees once the government reopens, this does not prevent the immediate financial difficulties they face. Following the 2019 Shutdown, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which provides immediate retroactive back pay to federal employees after a shutdown ends. Government contractors, unlike direct federal employees, typically do not receive back pay after shutdowns.
How does a government shutdown end?
To end a government shutdown, both the House and the Senate need to pass an appropriations bill to fund the departments and agencies that have been shut down. The President must sign that bill into law. Congress can also pass a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government's funding at its current level, which also requires the approval of the President.
Which federal facilities will be impacted by this government shutdown?
Each shutdown is unique, and the exact list of affected agencies can vary. Among others, the following federal facilities may be impacted in the event of a government shutdown:
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Military bases, arsenals, depots, and federal armories
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Veterans Affairs medical facilities
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Federal prisons and courthouses
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National laboratories
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National Park System facilities, National Forests, and other federally owned or managed lands
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Ports, including seaports, airports, and intermodal terminals that may host federal customs processing facilities or law enforcement
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IRS facilities
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Law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ATF, DEA, or CBP
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General federal office buildings
Not seeing your question? For more FAQs on the potential government shutdown, go to my website or reach out to my office at (626) 646-0369.
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