WASHINGTON – There's one week to go until federal funding dries up and the U.S. government shuts down if Congress can't pass legislation by March 14.

Yes, Americans have seen this show before, particularly during President Donald Trump's first term and most recently right before Christmas last year when the Republican was preparing to take office for a second time.

Americans have felt it too. A shut down would force a majority of federal workers to stop working and go without pay. Services deemed essential – such as border protection, air traffic control, and payment for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid – would continue.

But other services would be interrupted. Services at national parks would close, security reviews to help defend against hacking would stop, civil litigation in courts would stop, and environmental and permitting reviews would stop. Air traffic controllers would continue to work, though there have been problems with recent incidents.

Right now, Republican leaders in both chambers say they want to extend current funding, known as a "continuing resolution" or "CR," through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.



But other services would be interrupted. Services at national parks would close, security reviews to help defend against hacking would stop, civil litigation in courts would stop, and environmental and permitting reviews would stop. Air traffic controllers would continue to work, though there have been problems with recent incidents.

Right now, Republican leaders in both chambers say they want to extend current funding, known as a "continuing resolution" or "CR," through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

If it includes conservative priorities beyond funding the government, it is likely to run into additional trouble with Democrats.

The top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations Committee have also been pushing for a shorter funding extension that could buy them more time to finalize full funding bills, which could be a back-up plan if the full-year extension can't get past the political minefields.
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