New stopgap funding measures need to be agreed upon by Friday, Dec. 3 in order to stop the government from shutting down.
That gives lawmakers just one day.
Every year 12 spending bills are passed by Congress that give the federal government the funding to maintain spending for the year.
Related: If the government shuts down could that impact December Social Security checks?
In Sept. a solution could not be reached.
What will happen in Congress does not agree on spending and the government shuts down?
The government previously shut down in 2013 and 2018.
Related: Here are five major Social Security changes happening next month, including a larger payment
Remaining funds are prioritized for the most pressing services.
This means essential services are still funded.
Air traffic control, medical care, border protection, law enforcement, and power grid maintenance workers are still in operation.
Along with these important operations still functioning, so does Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
It isn’t fully known exactly what services will shut down following a shutdown. Contingency plans are in place in the event of a lapse in funding, but the administration’s choose what they want to focus on.
Many people aren’t able to work for the government during a shutdown, so this creates a major slow down.
Here are a few things you may not be able to do during a shutdown
- Purchase a new house
- Take out a loan
- Go to a national park
- Renew your passport
- Go to a Smithsonian museum
These services are less likely to be impacted by a government shut down
- Flights
- Food inspection
- Postal services
- Health and human services
- Social Security and Medicare
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