On the other hand, the Democrats were pushing for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) bill, which some Republicans were not in favor of since they wanted to focus on the permanent budget. The Republicans needed 60 votes but couldn’t get enough Democrats on their side. It was a temporary measure so there would be more time to pass the budget for the fiscal year 2018. US Government Shutdown in 2018įor almost three days in 2018, the federal government shut down, starting at midnight on January 19, when the US Senate was not able to pass a continuing resolution that would extend spending until February 16. Before 2018, the last shutdown in the US occurred in 2013 and lasted 16 days. Twelve government shutdowns have occurred in the US since 1981, with varying durations of one day to 21 days. Department of Energy, except those that oversee the safety of the nuclear arsenal, dams, and transmission lines.Department of Labor, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Internal Revenue Service, except those in charge of processing tax returns.Department of the Interior, including National Parks.Department of Commerce, except the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Department of Housing and Urban Development.National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).Here are the non-essential federal services and agencies that close in a government shutdown: Non-essential Federal Services and Agencies Affected by a US Government Shutdown Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid – Funding is automatic and part of the mandatory budget.US Postal Service – The USPS can access a different source of funds.

US Justice Department – Except for the issuance of gun permits, which is suspended.Transportation Security Administration (TSA).Defense, National Safety, Security – They are set up in such a way that they can operate for several weeks without a funding bill.Here are the essential federal services and agencies that remain open in a government shutdown: Essential Federal Services and Agencies Not Affected by a US Government Shutdown Government spending accounts for 18% of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP), so if there’s no budget, then the domestic economy will suffer. Federal workers in non-essential services are sent home and will be paid later and retroactively for the time off.ĭuring the shutdown, agencies will need to use their saved funds, but if it goes beyond two weeks, it will result in an impact on the country’s economic growth. Since most federal departments get their funds from the discretionary budget, services that are deemed non-essential close until lawmakers reach an agreement on the budget. A government shutdown will happen if Congress cannot agree on a resolution, indicating a complete breakdown in the budget process. Otherwise, they will enact a continuing funding resolution. When the US Government shuts down, non-essential federal agencies cease operating, resulting in the non-delivery of services and non-payment of the salaries of government workers.ĭuring a typical budget process, American lawmakers need to fund by September 30 for the upcoming fiscal year. A government shutdown occurs when the US Congress does not approve or cannot resolve disagreements about the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Goverment shutdown timer