Government shutdown from October 1? Know which departments will function & more

A government shutdown in the U.S. looms large as time is running out for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to find a compromise to keep the federal government running and avoid a shutdown. Most House members have left town and are not expected to return to Washington until Tuesday. Only five days are left before government funding runs out and the shutdown begins. So, what is government shutdown and how does it happen?

Government shutdown from October 1?

Many federal government agencies are funded annually by a dozen appropriations bills, often grouped together into one piece of legislation known as an "omnibus" bill. This omnibus bill should be passed by Congress and signed by the president before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. U.S. Constitution has clear provisions that the Treasury Department can not spend money without a law authorizing it.

How govt shutdown begins

Under the Antideficiency Act, government agencies should cease operations, with certain exceptions, if the funding has not been authorized by Congress. The act prohibits the government from entering into financial obligations without congressional approval. So, the government shutdown begins if the funding has not been authorized by Congress and signed by the president.

The federal government stops all non-essential functions and each agency determines what work is essential.

Last govt shutdown

The last government shutdown in the U.S. occurred from December 2018 to January 2019. It happened after the congressional funding for nine executive branch departments lapsed. According to a Congressional Budget Office report, the five-week partial shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion.

It came due to a standoff between the Donald Trump administration and the Democrats. Trump demanded $5.7 billion to fund a wall along the border with Mexico and vowed to close the government if the funding wasn't included in spending legislation. Democrats refused to give in.

FAQs:

Why government shut shutdown?
There are clear provisions in the U.S. Constitution that government agencies should cease operations, with certain exceptions, if the funding has not been authorized by Congress. So, the government shutdown begins if the funding has not been authorized by Congress and signed by the president by that time.

When did the last government shutdown in the U.S. take place and why?
President Donald Trump Trump demanded $5.7 billion to fund a wall along the border with Mexico and vowed to close the government if the funding wasn't included in spending legislation. Democrats refused to give in. The government shutdown occurred from December 2018 to January 2019.