On December 22, lawmakers failed to enact the appropriations or a continuing resolution needed to keep parts of the federal government funded, triggering a partial shutdown. The lapse in authorized spending affects agencies and programs that lack funding through other means; essential services related to national security, public safety and certain benefit payments generally continue, while many nonessential functions are paused and personnel may be furloughed. Shutdown mechanics and immediate effects A federal shutdown begins when Congress does not pass and the president does not sign legislation providing budget authority for discretionary programs. During a lapse, federal agencies must restrict activities to those authorized by law or deemed "excepted" (essential to protect life and property). Typical immediate impacts include furloughs for civilian employees in affected offices, delays in new contract awards, reduced public-facing services such as parks and museums, and interruptions to some regulatory and administrative actions. Critical programs funded by mandatory spending, such as Social Security and Medicare, generally continue to operate during short shutdowns because their funding is not annually appropriated. Who is affected The scope of disruption varies by agency and by which spending bills remain funded. Departments with continuing appropriations or separate funding streams see fewer changes; others halt nonessential operations. Veterans’ medical services, air traffic control, border security and active-duty military pay are often cited as continuing, while processing times for passports, certain permitting decisions, and internal research programs may slow or stop. Contractors reliant on government payments can experience cash-flow interruptions even if contract work continues under the expectation of post-shutdown reimbursement. Economic and administrative costs Even brief shutdowns carry administrative and economic costs: agencies must prepare and then later resume operations, which drives overtime and managerial expenses. Federal employees who are furloughed typically receive back pay once funding is restored, but private-sector partners and lower-income workers can face immediate hardship. Markets and public confidence can be affected if the impasse appears likely to be prolonged, though short shutdowns historically have had limited macroeconomic impact unless extended. Political dynamics Shutdowns usually follow political disagreement over budget priorities, spending levels or policy riders attached to spending bills. Negotiations can involve the White House and both chambers of Congress; leverage shifts depending on which party controls each branch and which appropriations are at stake. Lawmakers may pursue short-term continuing resolutions to keep funding in place while talks continue, or they may attach policy provisions prompting further stalemate. Ending a shutdown A shutdown ends when Congress passes and the president signs legislation providing funding authority—either full appropriations bills or a continuing resolution. Often, stopgap measures are used to restore operations while longer negotiations proceed. Once funding is restored, agencies recall furloughed employees and resume paused programs; administrative catch-up can take days to weeks. Uncertainties and next steps At the time funding lapsed on Dec. 22, outcomes depended on ongoing negotiations in Congress and any executive actions to mitigate impacts. The duration and severity of disruptions hinge on whether lawmakers reach an agreement quickly, opt for short-term extensions, or allow the lapse to continue. Observers should look for statements from affected agencies, congressional schedule updates and any interim funding bills to assess how and when services will be restored.