Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Effects, and Process (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 1, 2002 |
| Report Number |
98-844GOV |
| Authors |
Sharon S. Gressle |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
When federal agencies and programs lack appropriated funding, they must cease
operations, except in emergency situations. The failure of the President and Congress
to reach agreement on funding measures has caused government shutdowns, the longest
of which was from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996. Government shutdowns
have necessitated the furloughing of several hundred thousand federal employees and
affect all sectors of the economy. It is necessary to either enact temporary funding
legislation at the close of the fiscal year or to shut down the activities which are not
funded at that time. This report provides a brief overview of the causes and effects of
federal government shutdowns. Table 1 shows the dates for the 17 federal government
funding gaps beginning in FY1977. Most of these were not governmentwide.
