As of this writing, we are facing another possible government shutdown with the potential of disrupting government services. It would be the second shutdown in the past three months, further contributing to the new wave of government uncertainty that has started to become the new norm. But what contributes to the degree of disruption during a government shutdown?
Currently, we are facing the prospects of a partial government shutdown.
Two variables: Length and type of shutdown
The severity of a government shutdown is related to two variables: length and type of shutdown. The longer a shutdown lasts, regardless of type of shutdown, the severity of service disruption increases. The shutdown of 2025—lasting 43 days—had more severe service disruption than the shutdown of 2013, which lasted 16 days. While both shutdowns were full government shutdowns, the additional 27 days without government funding in 2025 would have caused far more disruption.
Scope of a partial versus full shutdown
The other variable that affects the severity of government shutdowns is the type of shutdown. There are two types of government shutdowns: full and partial.
A full government shutdown is what we experienced from October 1 to November 12, 2025, the longest in government history at 43 days. A full government shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass any of the 12 appropriation bills for the new fiscal year, causing the government to have no funding available to spend. The effects of a full government shutdown are widespread and impact every department and agency.
During a partial shutdown, the effects are more targeted and limited to the agencies that have not had an appropriation bill enacted. Regardless of type of shutdown, essential services—such as national security and public safety—continue while employees work without pay. Mandatory spending, such as mail delivery, Medicare, and Social Security generally continues, but possibly with a reduced staff as non-essential staff are furloughed.
During a partial shutdown, essential services—such as national security and public safety—continue while employees work without pay.
Non-essential staff furloughed during a partial shutdown cause service disruptions to non-essential government services. This includes services such as national parks, administrative services for safety net programs, passport applications, and food safety inspections.
Partial shutdowns are slightly more common
The other type of shutdown is a partial government shutdown, slightly more common than full government shutdowns. Of the five shutdowns where government operations were affected for more than one business day, three have been partial shutdowns and two have been full government shutdowns.
A partial shutdown happens when Congress has passed and the President has signed some of the appropriation bills into law, but not all of them. This leads to some agencies having funding for normal operations and others having no funding. Inconsistent delivery of government services develops, as some departments work under “business as normal” and others go into government shutdown protocol.
Currently, we are experiencing a partial government shutdown
Congress failed to pass all 12 annual appropriations bills, having approved only six so far. The House passed the remaining six two weeks ago, covering Labor–Health and Human Services, Transportation–Housing and Urban Development, Defense, State–Foreign Operations, Financial Services, and Homeland Security. However, the House-passed legislation was stonewalled in the Senate as Senate Democrats demanded action on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the wake of deadly shootings in Minnesota.
Senate leadership reached an agreement Friday that provides two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allow for negotiations on ICE, and funds the remaining unfunded agencies through September 30th. The government fully reopening now rests in the hands of the House. House Democrats announced that the caucus would not support a motion to suspend the rules, meaning the legislation must go through Committee. The House Committee on Rules is scheduled to meet on February 2. Assuming the Committee approves the funding legislation and no other speedbumps arise, the bill will be on the House floor for a vote on Tuesday and then sent to President Trump’s desk for his signature, ending this latest government shutdown.
