government shutdown: Quick Facts

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Tourists stand near a sign reading Important Government Shut-Down with an image of the Statue of Liberty, announcing the closure of the statue due to a U.S. federal government shutdown.

Infographic explaining a government shutdown, showing that when Congress and the president do not approve a budget, nonessential government services stop. It lists what stops and what continues, what gets paid, impacts on workers, businesses, the public, and the economy, notes there is no set end date, and outlines the process to end a shutdown.

U.S. National Park Service employee Richard Trott posts a sign reading, Because of the Federal Government shutdown, all national parks are closed, in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Timeline of a government shutdown

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