Government Shutdown Advisory: Summary of Possible Lapse in Appropriations

Posted because this is more useful information than we will get from this government.

https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/09/government-shutdown-advisory

"Highlights:

Much of the federal government is funded by 12 annual appropriations bills. Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 begins on Oct. 1, 2025, and, if appropriations bills have not been enacted before that date or a temporary funding measure – known as a continuing resolution (CR) – has not been enacted, a gap (or lapse) in appropriations will occur.

Federal government shutdowns have a wide range of effects, the severity of which can depend on the shutdown's length and how the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directs agencies to operate (or not operate) during a shutdown.

As of this writing, no FY 2026 appropriations bills have been enacted. Bicameral, bipartisan negotiations had begun on full-year appropriations for the Agriculture-FDA, Legislative Branch and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs bills. Though any final agreement on those bills will not be ready in time for Oct. 1, 2025, it could be enacted as part of a future CR...

Even for activities funded with lapsed appropriations, the Antideficiency Act allows several excepted activities to continue, including, for example:

activities necessary to protect human life or safety or property
activities necessarily implied by law to perform statutorily required activities
activities necessary to discharge of the president's constitutional duties or power

Unsurprisingly, U.S. military operations typically continue during a shutdown due to the vital national security interest. In addition, recent reporting indicates other safety-critical activities will remain operational, including federal law enforcement and air traffic control...

Federal government shutdowns have a wide range of impacts, the severity of which can depend on the shutdown's length. In addition to the disruption of internal government functions, the unavailability to the public of many government services and lack of access to public facilities, shutdowns can profoundly impact government contractors, public and private recipients of federal grants, and the general public.

Government Shutdowns and Executive Branch Operations: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (Updated Sept. 2, 2025)

See "Contingency Plans By Agency" at the top link

There is no guarantee the current administration will adopt all or any part of prior contingency plans.
For more information or questions regarding the potential government shutdown and its impact, please contact the authors or another member of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group..... "