The government shutdown in the United States has officially begun due to Congress’s inability to reach an agreement on federal agency funding. This marks the twenty-first shutdown in the past fifty years.
What Does a Government Shutdown Mean
According to the U.S. Constitution, Article I states, “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” The Antideficiency Act, enacted in 1884 and amended in 1950, also prohibits the government from incurring expenses that Congress has not already allocated funds for. This law aims to prevent federal agencies from creating a situation where they deplete their budgets intentionally early in the year, a practice that has occurred frequently.
The U.S. government has traditionally operated under the assumption that Congress did not intend for this law to cover routine annual budgets. However, in 1980 and 1981, Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti ruled under President Jimmy Carter that it indeed applies, meaning that all non-emergency activities must cease when funds are exhausted.
How Long Will This Shutdown Last
No one can predict the duration of the shutdown. The shortest shutdowns last only a day or a few hours, while the longest, during the Trump administration from 2018 to 2019, lasted 34 days and cost the economy approximately $6 billion or more.
Will Federal Employees Be Laid Off or Fired
Typically, non-emergency employees are furloughed, meaning they are instructed not to report to work and do not receive pay during the shutdown. Thanks to legislation passed in 2019, these non-essential employees will receive back pay once the shutdown concludes, although circumstances may vary this time around.
Last week, the Office of Management and Budget, led by Russell Vought, who is part of the “2025 Project,” issued guidelines for federal agencies to consider permanent layoffs for any programs “not aligned with the president’s priorities.” This could mean additional layoffs in departments already affected by Elon Musk’s cuts in DOGE earlier this year, some of which are now being reversed.
Before the shutdown, President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that there would be “irreversible” layoffs of federal employees if lawmakers failed to reach a deal.
Which Essential Government Services Will Continue Despite the Shutdown
Essential activities related to “emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property” will continue, along with self-funded programs or those funded through other means than annual appropriations. Services that will remain operational include:
– Law Enforcement and Security: Federal law enforcement agencies, border agents, and intelligence agencies (like the CIA and NSA) will continue to operate.
– Emergency Services: Air traffic control (air traffic controllers) and the National Weather Service along with airport security screening (TSA) will remain active.
– Social Benefits: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs will continue without interruption.
– Mail Services: The United States Postal Service (USPS) will continue its operations.
– Executive and Legislative Functions: Duties of the President, members of Congress and their staff, and court personnel will persist.