Government Shutdown: Operations of the Department of Defense During a Lapse in Appropriations

Abstract

Because Congress did not provide any FY2014 funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) by October 1, 2013, the beginning of the new fiscal year, DOD, like other agencies, is now subject to a lapse in appropriations during which agencies are generally required to shut down. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), however, has identified a number of exceptions to the requirement that agencies cease operations, including a blanket exception for activities that provide for the national security. With the approach of the Treasury Department s estimate of an October 17, 2013, deadline for raising the debt ceiling, concerns have grown about the potential effect on government programs and workers. If the Treasury Department were to continue the current practice of paying bills as they come due, DOD programs ranging from payments to military retirees to contractor bills could be delayed or reduced, a situation that differs from the current government shutdown. It is difficult to predict effects because of the uncertainty about Treasury actions, but payment delays could affect all programs and personnel. Negotiations are currently underway to deal with the upcoming deadline. Concerns about DOD s implementation of the government shutdown continue. On September 25, 2013, DOD issued guidance and a contingency plan that limited the types of excepted activities that would continue to be carried out during a shutdown to military operations, unspecified other operations and national security activities, and those necessary to protect the safety of persons and property. As a result, during the lapse in appropriations, some DOD personnel would be excepted from furloughs, including all uniformed military personnel, while others would be furloughed and, thus, not be permitted to work.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 15, 2013
Accession Number
ADA590310

Entities

People

  • Amy Belasco
  • Pat Towell

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Civilian Personnel
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • Law
  • Management Personnel
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Science
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Public Financial Management and Budgeting