Government shutdown occurs when Congress is unable to pass appropriation bills that finance federal agencies and programs such as the National Institutes of Health and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. These bills typically fund operations until the end of each fiscal year, which usually occurs on September 30. If a bill isn’t enacted by the start of the new fiscal year, Congress can pass a temporary measure known as a continuing resolution (CR) to sustain funding at the current level until a budget is approved.
If a government shutdown begins, essential employees such as military service members and Transportation Security Administration agents remain on the job but are not paid. Non-essential workers, however, are furloughed, leaving them in financial limbo until funding is restored. In addition, the impact of a shutdown extends to millions of American taxpayers who pay for services that would be disrupted or ceased during a lapse in funding.
Shutdowns are also detrimental to the public’s trust in our government and elected leaders. At a time when our democracy is facing serious challenges, it is crucial that we do everything possible to restore the public’s faith in the integrity of our institutions. This means ending the harmful practice of using funding disputes as leverage to engage in unnecessary political fights. The good news is that responsible options to avoid a shutdown are available, including passing a clean CR this week. It is in our nation’s best interest to get to work without the threat of a government shutdown hanging over the country.