As Congress returns from its annual August recess, a fight is building on Capitol Hill over whether or not to pass the federal budget and avoid a shutdown. The threat is unusually high as partisans clash over what they see as a Trump administration agenda.
What is a government shutdown?
A government shutdown occurs when the appropriations process ends and Congress fails to pass a funding bill. This can occur when the Senate and House of Representatives disagree about what should be included in the spending package or if the parties cannot agree on how to balance the budget.
Some departments and agencies are considered “essential,” which means they continue to operate during a government shutdown, but the employees do not get paid until a budget is reached. In addition, if it is determined that a particular activity is not essential, the workers involved may be furloughed without pay until the situation is resolved.
For example, if a court considers it essential for its functions to ensure the safety of human life and property, such as criminal prosecutions, then those activities will continue during a shutdown. But courts may have to delay civil cases, reduce their hours and even suspend certain court functions if they do not receive sufficient funding from the appropriations process.
While a short shutdown is a hassle and can affect some public services, the economy will survive, especially if it is only temporary. However, a prolonged shutdown will have a negative impact on the economy and could put hundreds of thousands of workers out of work.