As the federal government closes its doors, Americans glimpse a long-debated question in Washington: How much government is too much government? This is what happens during a partial government shutdown, which typically occurs when Congress has not passed new bills authorizing spending.
Federal agencies and services deemed “non-essential” can expect to stop operations, while “essential” services continue to operate. Examples of “essential” agencies include homeland security, Border Patrol, law enforcement, disaster response, and more.
What’s more, funding for certain programs, such as Social Security and some agencies like the Postal Service, operate separately from the annual appropriations process.
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A government shutdown looms as Republicans struggle to craft a comprehensive spending package. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Accountable Tech)
A shutdown lasting less than two weeks would likely have minimal impact, as federal employees would still receive their paychecks on time. Meanwhile, longer shutdowns are often accompanied by back pay for government workers and congressional staff. As a result, the actual effects of a shutdown tend to be much less severe than typically portrayed.
Some lawmakers may also view partial government shutdowns as an opportunity to address unsustainable federal spending. The US national debt exceeds $35 trillion, and many argue that allowing the government to operate indefinitely without addressing unnecessary spending is irresponsible. Shutdowns may therefore force Congress to make decisions about funding priorities and eliminate bloated programs.
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Congress has until Friday, December 20 to approve a continuing resolution. Otherwise, a partial government shutdown will begin on Saturday, December 21. (Getty Images)
The federal government’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, requiring Congress to pass a series of appropriations bills before the end of September to fund operations. If Congress does not act, legal safeguards prevent executive agencies from spending money without legislative approval, effectively limiting government functions.
The annual congressional budget process begins in early February, when the president submits a budget proposal to Congress, offering recommendations for federal spending in all areas of government.
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USPS operations would continue as usual even in the event of a partial government shutdown. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In mid-April, Congress is expected to adopt a budget resolution setting general spending limits and guidelines. Throughout the late spring and summer, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees work on drafting 12 bills to allocate funds to specific federal agencies and programs. These bills must be approved by Congress by September 30 to avoid a partial government shutdown.
The deadline to approve a continuing resolution (CR), which is a temporary funding patch, is Friday at 11:59:59 pm ET. Without one, the federal government will enter a partial shutdown on Saturday, December 21.
