🏛️ Government Shutdowns
Understanding the impact of U.S. government shutdowns on federal employees, military, and contractors
❓ What is a Government Shutdown?
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass funding legislation for the federal government. This happens when there's a budget impasse or appropriations lapse, leaving federal agencies without legal authority to spend money.
🔑 Key Points
- Cause: Congress must pass appropriations bills annually to fund government operations. When they fail to do so, a shutdown occurs.
- Timing: The federal fiscal year runs October 1 - September 30. Shutdowns often happen at fiscal year boundaries or when continuing resolutions expire.
- Partial vs. Full: Shutdowns can be partial (affecting some agencies) or full (affecting the entire government), depending on which appropriations bills have passed.
👥 Who Gets Affected?
Government shutdowns have wide-ranging impacts on millions of Americans who work for or depend on federal services.
Federal Employees
~2.1 million civilian employees
Split into "excepted" (work without pay) and "furloughed" (sent home without pay)
Learn More →Military Personnel
~1.4 million active duty
DoD military usually protected, but Coast Guard can miss paychecks
Learn More →Law Enforcement
~150,000+ officers
FBI, DEA, TSA, Border Patrol - deemed "essential" but work without immediate pay
Learn More →Contractors
Millions of workers
No legal guarantee of back pay - most vulnerable group financially
Learn More →