Federal Government Shuts Down Due to Budget Impasse

Legislative Update
October 1, 2013

Early this morning, after the House and Senate were unable to agree on a Fiscal Year 2014 Continuing Resolution (CR) that would keep the government operating after the start of the fiscal year today, the federal government began shutting down, the first time in 17 years that Congress has been unable to reach agreement and avoid a shutdown.

Both chambers passed their own versions of legislation (H.J.Res. 59) that would have avoided a shutdown, the House two weeks ago and the Senate late last week. However, the Republican-controlled House inserted language that would defund the Affordable Care Act, language which the Democrat-controlled Senate removed before sending the bill back to the House.

At this time there is no clear resolution to the crisis, as both sides have made clear that they will not compromise.