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Government Shutdown

Each year, Congress passes 12 appropriations bills to fund the government, sometimes combined into a single bill called an “omnibus” or a few bills called “minibuses.” When these bills are enacted, programs covered by them receive their full-year funding, and the government is said to have passed a budget. However, if these bills are not passed and there is no continuing resolution (CR) in place to temporarily fund the government, then portions of the government that have not been funded by law must shut down.

The federal government funds thousands of activities across 900 budget accounts annually—programs that make the country run. A government shutdown halts many of these essential services that people rely on and puts hundreds more at risk.

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The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Education Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students Article

The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Education Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students

The Trump administration unlawful layoffs during the federal shutdown, in coordination with its policy changes and budget cuts, are intended to lead to closure of the Department of Education, leaving disabled children and students with fewer services and protections.

Mia Ives-Rublee, Casey Doherty

The Trump Administration’s Latest Staffing Cuts at the Department of Education Threaten Children’s Success Across the Country Article
A U.S. Department of Education employee leaves the building with their belongings.

The Trump Administration’s Latest Staffing Cuts at the Department of Education Threaten Children’s Success Across the Country

Cuts to staff at the Department of Education threaten the federal government’s long-term ability to ensure equal access to education for all, including children with disabilities.

Paige Shoemaker DeMio, Weadé James

The Shutdown’s Impacts on National Parks and Public Lands Offer a Preview of Trump’s Long-Term Vision Article
Person entering national monument past large welcome map

The Shutdown’s Impacts on National Parks and Public Lands Offer a Preview of Trump’s Long-Term Vision

Before and during the government shutdown, the Trump administration has pushed an agenda to sell out America’s public lands for drilling and mining while gutting the funding, staff, and policies necessary to steward those lands for future generations.

Drew McConville

How Trump Violated the Law to Pay the Military In the News

How Trump Violated the Law to Pay the Military

Bobby Kogan writes in Lawfare about how President Trump broke federal budget law in order to pay the military during the government shutdown.

Lawfare

Bobby Kogan

How the Government Shutdown Affects Public Land Employees and Communities Article

How the Government Shutdown Affects Public Land Employees and Communities

Bipartisan efforts saved public lands from being sold off. Can Congress work together again so that furloughed public land employees in the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service are not fired?

Mark Haggerty

5 Reasons Why Careening From Near Shutdown to Near Shutdown Is Bad for America Article
The waning Snow Moon sets behind the U.S. Capitol Dome.

5 Reasons Why Careening From Near Shutdown to Near Shutdown Is Bad for America

While avoiding a federal government shutdown is important, the chaos of constant shutdown threats; uncertainties about funding; and patchwork continuing resolutions are still detrimental for the government’s ability to provide services and the health of American democracy.

Lily Roberts, Greta Bedekovics

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Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice
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Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice

We pursue climate action that meets the crisis’s urgency, creates good-quality jobs, benefits disadvantaged communities, and restores U.S. credibility on the global stage.

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Restoring Social Trust in Democracy

Democracy is under attack at home and abroad. We must act to ensure it is accessible to all, accountable, and can serve as a force of good.

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