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What is a government shutdown?
For the second time in 2023, Congress has averted a government shutdown at the last minute. Just before the start of the federal fiscal year in October, Congress passed a stopgap spending bill (known as a continuing resolution) that funded federal agencies at last year’s levels through November 17. Before that deadline, Congress passed another continuing resolution. This one (dubbed a “laddered CR”) is unusual: It continues funding at last year’s levels until January 19, 2024, for agencies funded by four appropriations bills (Agriculture, Energy and Water, Military Construction-Veterans, and ... (full story)