2013 United States federal government shutdown
From October 1 to October 17, 2013, the United States federal government entered a shutdown and curtailed most routine operations because neither legislation appropriating funds for fiscal year 2014 nor a continuing resolution for the interim authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 2014 was enacted in time. Regular government operations resumed October 17 after an interim appropriations bill was signed into law.
A government shutdown notice posted on October 1, 2013
Sen. Ted Cruz
Sen. Mike Lee
Rep. Mark Meadows
Government shutdowns in the United States
In the United States, government shutdowns occur when funding legislation required to finance the federal government is not enacted before the next fiscal year begins. In a shutdown, the federal government curtails agency activities and services, ceases non-essential operations, furloughs non-essential workers, and retains only essential employees in departments that protect human life or property. Shutdowns can also disrupt state, territorial, and local levels of government.
Units of the National Park System closed during the 2013 federal government shutdown. Shown here is the National Mall.
Letter from President Barack Obama to US Government employees affected by the shutdown in 2013