U.S. Congress

A continuing resolution (CR) is temporary federal legislation used by the U.S. Congress to maintain existing federal funding levels roughly flat for a specified short-term period.

Members of the U.S. Congress can introduce and vote on resolutions intended to limit the president's authority to use military force.

Federal government shutdowns can result in parts of Congress not being in regular session, which can limit congressional actions such as swearing in members and holding votes on appropriations.

Federal appropriations bills become law only after they have been passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President.

Uncertain congressional funding and federal hiring freezes can impede the Census Bureau's ability to finalize staffing plans and recruit sufficient temporary workers for decennial census tests.

The appropriations process is the standard congressional procedure by which the U.S. Congress allocates funding to federal agencies, programs, and operations.

An amendment to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 on January 25, 2019 added language stating that compensation for furloughed employees is 'subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse.'

In U.S. federal budget and appropriations practice, parties sometimes condition reopening government funding on whether policy issues (such as entitlement or subsidy changes) will be negotiated before or after a short-term funding measure.