Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects
"When federal agencies and programs lack appropriated funding, they experience a funding gap.
Under the Antideficiency Act, they must cease operations, except in emergency situations. Failure
of the President and Congress to reach agreement on interim or full-year funding measures
occasionally has caused government shutdowns, the longest of which lasted 21 days, from
December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996. Government shutdowns have necessitated furloughs of
several hundred thousand federal employees, required cessation or reduction of many government
activities, and affected numerous sectors of the economy. This report discusses the causes,
processes, and effects of federal government shutdowns, including potential issues for Congress."