Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
government shutdown
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
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

Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
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.
The effects of a government shutdown The Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York was among the National Park Service properties that closed during a federal government shutdown that lasted for 16 days in 2013.

government shutdown

political science
Written by
Brian Duignan
Brian Duignan is a senior editor at Encyclopædia Britannica. His subject areas include philosophy, law, social science, politics, political theory, and religion.
Brian Duignan
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

government shutdown, What is a government shutdown, and how does it affect the United States when it happens? How often do government shutdowns happen? These and other questions are answered below. A government shutdown, as the term is most commonly used in the United States, is a forced cessation of most nonessential operations and services (i.e., those that are not deemed necessary to protect national security, public health, public safety, or property) performed by a...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile