Funding lapse results in government shutdown

After weeks of back and forth over government funding, at 12:01 am on October 1, federal funding expired, and the government entered into a shutdown. While Congress had been making progress on the annual appropriations process, it became clear earlier this month that more time would be needed to complete the spending bills. The House passed a seven-week stopgap funding measure to hold government funding steady until November 21. Democrats however, pushed pack on this proposal, and the Senate failed to gainer the necessary 60 votes to pass the short-term spending bill, paving the way for a shutdown a few hours later.

Every federal agency is required to develop contingency plans outlining what functions and staff will continue and what will be paused during a shutdown. Federal programs and staff that operate with mandatory funding, reserve/carryover funding, or user fees will continue while all other federal programs and staff will pause except in cases of health, safety, or potential damage to life or property. USDA has posted their full shutdown plans here. The USDA plan has furloughed almost half of its staff, and the majority of its research and conservation functions will cease. 

Also, each administration has significant latitude in determining the details of a shutdown. For example, last week, the Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to all agencies directing them to create new “Reduction in Force” (RIF) plans in the case of a shutdown; however, the USDA plan does not currently include RIF actions. 

ASA, CSSA, and SSSA will continue to monitor this situation and update Society members.