Appropriations bills are the primary legislative vehicles for funding federal government operations, and failure to pass appropriations bills can lead to a government shutdown.
November 05, 2025
high
procedural
Explains the role of appropriations in preventing lapses in federal funding.
Federal government shutdowns can result in furloughs of human resources personnel, which prevents federal employees from accessing HR services such as health-care enrollment and other personnel paperwork.
October 16, 2025
high
administrative
Operational effect of federal funding lapses on personnel administration and employee access to HR services.
The standard practice during a U.S. federal government shutdown is to furlough federal employees temporarily, and furloughed employees are typically restored to their jobs once the shutdown ends, whereas RIFs permanently eliminate positions.
October 10, 2025
high
procedural
Contrast between furloughs (temporary) and reduction-in-force actions (permanent) during government funding lapses
Continuing resolutions are commonly used to prevent government shutdowns when Congress has not enacted full-year appropriations legislation.
high
temporal
Describes a routine legislative practice in U.S. budgeting to maintain government funding continuity.