The federal government is set to run out of money at midnight on Tuesday, unless Congress can reach a deal to pass a funding bill.
President Donald Trump will meet with congressional leaders from both parties at the White House on Monday, Sept. 29, less than 48 hours before the end of the fiscal year.
Republicans control both chambers of Congress, however, a temporary measure keeping the government open would require at least 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate, meaning some Democratic votes are needed, USA TODAY reported.
The Republicans in the House of Representatives narrowly passed a short-term funding bill on Sept. 19 to fund the government through Nov. 21. Still, the bill fell short in the Senate, where 60 votes are required to avert a Democratic filibuster.
Here’s what a government shutdown is, why they happen, and how it could impact Floridians.
When is the government shutdown deadline?
Policymakers have until midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to avoid a lapse in government funding. If Congress doesn’t reach an agreement on funding by midnight, the government will shut down.
What is a government shutdown? Why do government shutdowns happen?
According to the U.S. Committee for a Responsible Budget, a government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills, which fund the government’s operations for the upcoming fiscal year. Federal agencies will discontinue all non-essential discretionary functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law.
“Many federal government agencies and programs rely on annual funding appropriations passed by Congress. Every year, Congress must pass, and the President must sign budget legislation for the next fiscal year, consisting of 12 appropriations bills, one for each Appropriations subcommittee,” the website says.
What shuts down during a government shutdown?
Here are some services and government-funded efforts, as well as whether they would not shut down:
Not Social Security and Medicare: Social Security benefits continue without interruption; Medicare benefits may experience delays due to the shutdown.
Environmental and Food Inspection: Inspections would be halted. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, the FDA reinstated some food inspections a few weeks into the funding lapse for high-risk products.
Not Veterans Benefits: Veterans continue to receive benefits and medical care without disruption.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS): In the event of a shutdown, the IRS, which verifies income and Social Security numbers, would not be able to perform this service.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Though funding for the SNAP program is mandatory, the ability to send out “food stamp” benefits could be affected by a shutdown.
Not Military: Active-duty military personnel stay on the job, though about half of Pentagon civilian employees may face furloughs.
Health and Human Services: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would be prevented from admitting new patients or processing grant applications.
Not National Nuclear Security Administration: The agency remains operational.
Not Law Enforcement: Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and prison staff, remain operational; the Secret Service and Coast Guard continue their duties.
National Parks: National parks and monuments are closed; rangers are furloughed, and facilities are shut down, although some states may temporarily fund operations.
Not Borders and Homeland Security: Border Patrol and immigration enforcement agents remain on duty; local governments will not receive new aid for migrant shelters.
Transportation: Airport security screeners and air traffic controllers stay on duty; new hires and significant infrastructure projects may face delays; absenteeism may impact airport operations.
Not Congressional Pay: Lawmakers continue receiving pay; staffers are furloughed, but essential personnel continue to work.
White House: Most of the White House staff is furloughed; however, essential offices, such as the National Security Council, continue to operate; the president’s salary remains unaffected.
What happens to federal employees when the government shuts down? Do you still work during a government shutdown?
Federal agencies classify workers as either “essential” or “nonessential.”
Essential workers continue to work, although they may not receive immediate payment. Nonessential workers, however, are furloughed, meaning they cannot work or be paid until the government reopen.
Failure to pass a funding bill could lead to furloughs for thousands of federal workers and a reduction in federal services. USA TODAY previously reported that about 800,000 federal employees went without pay for 35 days during the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown in 2018 and 2019.
How many federal employees are there in Florida?
As of September 2024, there were 95,167 federal civilian employees in Florida, according to the Congressional Research Service.
According to the Census and U.S. Office of Personnel Management, there were 88,646 federal employees in Florida at the time of the last government shutdown.
When was the last government shutdown?
The most recent shutdown, which occurred in 2019, lasted 35 days and cost the national economy approximately $3 billion, equivalent to 0.02% of GDP, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Over the last five decades, there have been 21 federal shutdowns:
1976: Under President Gerald Ford. Lasted for 11 days.
1977: Under President Jimmy Carter. Lasted 12 days.
1977: Under Carter. Lasted eight days.
1977: Under Carter. Lasted eight days.
1978: Under Carter. Lasted 17 days.
1979: Under Carter. Lasted 11 days.
1981: Under President Ronald Reagan. Lasted two days.
1982: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
1982: Under Reagan. Lasted three days.
1983: Under Reagan. Lasted three days.
1984: Under Reagan. Lasted two days.
1984: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
1986: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
1987: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
1990: Under George H.W. Bush. Lasted four days.
1995: Under President Bill Clinton. Lasted five days.
1996: Under Clinton. Lasted 21 days.
2013: Under President Barack Obama. Lasted 17 days.
2018: Under President Donald Trump. Lasted three days.
2018: Under Trump. Lasted several hours.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Government shutdown could happen in less than 48 hours. What to know