government shutdowns

Federal operations halted

Government shutdowns occur when a legislature fails to pass funding bills, forcing nonessential government operations to halt.

In the United States, shutdowns happen when Congress and the president cannot agree on appropriations before deadlines.

Essential services like military and law enforcement continue, but federal workers may be furloughed or work without pay: The shutdown lasted 35 days.

The term has become associated with political brinkmanship and budget standoffs.

political

impasse

Situation without resolution

deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress

partisanship · congressional · negotiations · standoff · compromise · dysfunction · appropriations · debt ceiling · veto · filibuster

furloughs

unpaid leave

Authorized absence, no salary

federal employeesGovernment-hired workforce
workforceAll available workers
idledOperated without load

salary freeze · wages · compensation · benefits · payroll · exemption · essential personnel · back pay · recall · work stoppage

services

national parks

Protected natural areas

closuresActs of sealing shut
delaysPauses before proceeding
agenciesOrganizations providing services

suspended · essential services · IRS · Social Security · federal courts · museums · visa processing · food inspections · TSA · air traffic control

Opposites

operational status

government shutdownsbusiness as usual

Continuation of normal routine

open government

fiscal/budgetary resolution

government shutdownsbudget deal

Agreed spending plan

default · bankruptcy

political functioning

government shutdownsbipartisan compromise

Agreement between opposing parties

political cooperation

Family

government, shutdown, govern, governed, governing, governor, governors, governmental, governance

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Mostly American · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G