What’s going on
- Congress must pass new appropriations bills or extend current funding before Jan. 30. Without action, parts of the federal government would shut down when funds run out.
- So far, lawmakers have made little visible progress toward a full-year agreement. Negotiations have not produced a package that can pass both the House and the Senate.
- Talks involve House and Senate leaders, along with the chairs and top Republicans on the appropriations committees. Any final deal would also need White House approval.
- Appropriations are annual bills that fund most federal agencies. When Congress cannot finish them on time, it often uses a short-term continuing resolution to keep agencies operating at current levels.
- A partial shutdown would halt many nonessential services and delay pay for federal workers. Some operations continue, but agencies typically scale back, and contractors can face payment delays.
- Lawmakers are also weighing a short-term extension to buy time for a broader deal. That can prevent an immediate shutdown but does not resolve the underlying spending fight.
Why it matters
- A shutdown disrupts day-to-day government operations and creates uncertainty for workers, agencies, and businesses that rely on federal contracts. It can also slow processing and oversight work across federal departments.
- Shutdown deadlines also force quick decisions on spending levels and policy riders. They test whether party leaders can unify their own members and negotiate across the Capitol.