Advocacy Glossary
Government shutdown
What does government shutdown mean?
A government shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass funding by the deadline, so federal agencies must stop all work that is not legally allowed to continue without new money.
Why it matters for advocates
Under a law called the Antideficiency Act, agencies cannot spend money Congress has not provided. Employees doing essential work, like air traffic control, keep working. Many others are sent home until funding returns.
Shutdowns usually end with a continuing resolution. For advocates, the meetings keep mattering, because the funding decisions that caused the standoff still have to be made.
Related terms
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