A government shutdown – or lapse in federal funding – curtails the ability of civil servants to carry out their daily work, providing public benefits and services, conducting research, managing the economy and addressing national security challenges. A gap in funding lasting longer than a few hours typically results in workers being furloughed, including many NLC members who are working without pay.
Most agencies prepare a contingency plan for a possible shutdown, with specific guidance on which employees are essential and would continue to work during a lapse in funding and which activities would cease. For example, during the last shutdown, Social Security checks were still distributed; however, service verification and new card issuance were not. This year’s plans will vary, but they usually include details on how agencies might use remaining funds or income from user fees to continue operations, if necessary.
The vast majority of federal activities – such as air travel and food inspections – are mandated by law and therefore would continue during a funding lapse. But national parks and monuments could close, and museum and library operations may stop, while some immigration and labor-related functions such as processing visa applications and determining disability determinations might be delayed. The Environmental Protection Agency halted many of its inspections, and the FDA temporarily reduced its food safety inspections during the last shutdown.
In addition to direct federal employees, a shutdown impacts many people who depend on the work they do through federal contracts and grants. NLC has developed a robust set of resources on the impact of a shutdown for cities and towns, and is urging Congress to pass a budget solution to prevent one this week.