The U.S. federal budget is organized by fiscal years (for example, fiscal year 2025), and Congress can pass legislation such as continuing resolutions to temporarily extend prior fiscal year funding levels.
October 08, 2025
high
institutional
Continuing resolutions or short-term funding bills are used to maintain government funding when regular appropriations are not enacted.
The United States federal government is funded on a fiscal year basis, requiring Congress to pass appropriations or other funding measures for each fiscal year (for example, fiscal year 2026).
October 06, 2025
high
temporal
Federal spending is organized by fiscal years, and failure to enact appropriations can lead to temporary funding measures or government shutdowns.
Congress has at times enacted measures to protect military pay during federal shutdowns, including the Pay Our Military Act in 2013 and legislative or appropriations actions in 2019 that ensured pay for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps while excluding the Coast Guard.
January 01, 2019
high
temporal
Historical precedents of legislative responses to protect service member pay during shutdowns.
The United States Congress can pass special appropriations or standalone bills to provide pay or funding for specific groups or services.
high
procedural
Congressional appropriations authority allows targeted funding measures for particular categories of employees or functions through separate legislation.