1、1 See CRS Report RL30343, Continuing Appropriations Acts: Brief Overview of RecentPractices, by Sandy Streeter.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-844 GOVUpdated November 1, 2002Shutdown of the Federal Government: Cau
2、ses, Effects, and ProcessSharon S. GressleSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryWhen federal agencies and programs lack appropriated funding, they must ceaseoperations, except in emergency situations. The failure of the President and Congressto reach agreeme
3、nt on funding measures has caused government shutdowns, the longestof which was from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996. Government shutdownshave necessitated the furloughing of several hundred thousand federal employees andaffect all sectors of the economy. It is necessary to either enact tempor
4、ary fundinglegislation at the close of the fiscal year or to shut down the activities that are not fundedat that time. This report provides a brief overview of the causes and effects of federalgovernment shutdowns. Table 1 shows the dates for the 17 federal government fundinggaps beginning in FY1977