Government Shutdown Timer

What is a Government Shutdown?

A government shutdown in the United States occurs when Congress and the president fail to agree on and enact funding legislation to finance government operations and agencies.

The federal government operates on annual funding approved by Congress through appropriations bills and signed into law by the president. When Congress fails to pass bills or the president refuses to sign them before the start of the fiscal year (October 1), a shutdown is triggered. More commonly, a shutdown happens when temporary funding measures (continuing resolutions (CR's)) expire without replacement and this can happen at any time during the year.

In a shutdown, non-essential government functions must cease operations due to the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending money without Congressional authorization. A shutdown can result from Congress failing to pass the necessary legislation, the president vetoing or refusing to sign passed bills, or Congress being unable to override a presidential veto.

Last Government Shutdown

The shutdown that began October 1, 2025, resulted from Congress and the president failing to agree on and enact funding legislation for the 2026 fiscal year (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The primary disagreement centers on healthcare policy, specifically whether Congress should approve an extension of Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) marketplace tax credits that will otherwise end in December 2025.

History of U.S. Government Shutdowns