What happens during a government shutdown?

A government shutdown happens when funding expires and replacement appropriations have not become law. Affected agencies must stop work that lacks funding unless a legal exception allows it to continue. A shutdown can affect some agencies while others remain funded. GAO explains how funding lapses work.

To follow a funding proposal, find the bill in Modern Action. This guide explains shutdowns; it does not report whether one is happening today.

Why does the government shut down?

A funding deadline can arrive at the start of a fiscal year or when a temporary funding law expires. If replacement funding is not enacted, affected operations face a lapse. The deadline depends on the law funding the particular activity. OPM describes both situations in its shutdown guidance.

What keeps running during a shutdown?

An activity can continue if it has other available funding, such as money provided for multiple years. If no funding is available, it needs a legal exception. Some work necessary to protect human life or government property qualifies.

Social Security benefit payments, for example, have a permanent appropriation and can continue. That does not establish the operating status of every service within an agency. GAO's guidance explains why the answer depends on the activity and its funding.

For a specific appointment, application, or payment, check the responsible agency's current service notice. A general shutdown headline cannot tell you whether that particular service is available.

Do federal employees get paid during a shutdown?

Employees whose work is legally excepted may have to keep working, while employees whose work cannot continue may be furloughed. Other functions use funding that does not lapse and continue under normal rules.

Federal law requires back pay for employees furloughed during a covered funding lapse and for excepted employees who must work. Payment is due after the lapse ends, subject to enactment of appropriations ending it. See 31 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2). This does not mean paychecks arrive as usual during a shutdown.

OPM's January 30, 2026 guidance, section D.3, instead says Congress will determine furloughed employees' pay through legislation. That wording differs from the statutory back-pay requirement. Check your agency's current payroll instructions for payment timing, and ask its human resources office about your status.

How does Congress end a shutdown?

Funding legislation must become law for the affected activities. A continuing resolution, often called a CR, can supply funding while Congress works on regular appropriations. Some CRs cover a short period; others fund the remainder of a fiscal year. Their terms can change funding levels or include exceptions. Congressional Research Service explains these funding options.

Check which agencies a measure covers and when its funding expires. A funding deal may resolve one deadline while leaving another ahead.

Follow the funding decision in Modern Action

To follow government shutdown funding proposals, use Modern Action's bill tracker to check its dated actions. When reviewing a bill:

1. Confirm its bill number and Congress.
2. Check the latest dated action and whether the measure has become law.
3. Read which agencies or programs it funds and the period it covers.

If you want Congress to make a particular funding decision, contact your representatives through Modern Action. Name the bill or program, explain the decision you want, and describe its effect on you. Review the message before sending it.