When Congress doesn't pass agency budgets, agencies run out of money and the government ceases to operate. Federal News Radio covers the threatened shutdown of 2011.

Shutdown averted, pay freeze extended as Congress passes 2013 funding bill

The House voted today to approve a measure to fund federal agencies through the remainder of fiscal 2013. The bill averts a government shutdown but extends the freeze on federal employees' pay through the end of 2013. The bill now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.

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Furloughs, buyouts, & retirement surge

Federal News Radio's Julia Ziegler, and Sean Reilly and Stephen Losey from the Federal Times, join host Mike Causey to discuss a wide range of issues affecting federal workers.
March 13, 2013

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Government shutdown, furloughs, and more

Janet Kopenhaver from Federally Employed Woman and Federal Times Senior Writer Sean Reilly, join host Mike Causey to talk about what would happen if the federal government were to shut down.
January 16, 2013

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Budget-and-tax impasse threatens troops, economy

With the government heading toward a year-end "fiscal cliff," House Republicans approved a full plate of Bush-era tax cuts Wednesday that they said could help shore up a still-frail national economy. At the same time, the Obama administration warned that threatened budget cuts could send some of America's troops into battle with less training.

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Obama administration two-sided on openness, expert says

Angela Canterbury, director of Public Policy at the Project on Government Oversight, said the Obama administration's efforts at transparency and openness have garnered mixed results.

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Analysis: Feds have plenty to focus on with omnibus, defense bill unresolved

Jim McAleese, defense analyst and principal of McAleese and Associates, anticipates some last minute maneuvering from Congress to secure funding for 2012.

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Shutdown FAQ

Frequently asked questions about a potential government shutdown as Congress nears its Dec. 16 deadline to reach a budget deal.

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As Congress nears deal, feds prep for shutdown — just in case

As the clock ticks closer toward Dec. 16 — when the seventh continuing resolution funding government operations this year is set to expire — speculation about a partial government shutdown has begun swirling.

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Short-term bill more likely before Friday budget deadline

With less than three days to reach a budget deal, lawmakers are more likely now to pass a short-term spending measure rather than a $1 trillion omnibus bill for the rest of the fiscal year, which started Oct. 1. The Hill's Erik Wasson has an update on the budget talks.

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Deadline nears to reach omnibus deal, avoid shutdown

The fight has started to push an omnibus spending bill through Congress to fund the federal government through the rest of the year. The current continuing resolution expires Dec. 16.

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Congress hops aboard the minibus

Congress crafted a partial measure to fund some agencies through fiscal year 2012 and extend a continuing resolution for others. Erik Wasson of The Hill acknowledges that the current budget process has been the most complicated he's seen.

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Obama signs short-term spending bill

President Barack Obama signed the continuing resolution, which funds the government through Nov. 18, into law early Wednesday morning. The House passed the Senate-approved bill Tuesday.

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Behind feds' health premium changes

Host Mike Causey is joined by Steve Bauer, executive director of the Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund, and Federal Times editor Steve Losey.
September 28, 2011

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Congress to extend deadline for Postal Service debt

The Postal Service would get seven more weeks to pay a $5.5 billion debt to the Treasury under the continuing resolution passed Monday by the Senate. A House version includes the same provision. The bill is due on Friday.

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Optimism from a near-shutdown?

There will not be a government shutdown over the 2011 budget any time soon, but the near shutdown was a fight almost every inch of the way. But some feds are taking a more optimistic view.

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In shutdown, what contractors should do

Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown for now. But chances are we will be back to this same place next month, as the continuing resolution passed by Senate on Monday night lasts through Nov. 18. If a shutdown does occur, what should a government contractor do?

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After averting shutdown, a bigger budget fight brews

The Senate passed a continuing resolution to extend spending six weeks beyond the current fiscal year, ending on Friday. The House plans to vote Monday on the bill which funds government until Nov. 18. But on Nov. 23 is another important budget date — the joint select committee on deficit reduction must submit its recommendations to Congress on ways to reduce $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion in cuts over the next decade.

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Senate passes 'clean' CR to avert shutdown

The Senate's six-week funding measures includes $2.65 billion for FEMA at the start of the fiscal year, dropping a provision for $1 billion worth of disaster aid that was the root of legislative gridlock. The House must pass a CR before Friday, when funding for the government runs out.

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Analysis: Budget stalemate is centered on 'tiddlywinks' amount

The Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution Friday over an issue that amounts to "tiddlywinks," said Steven Dennis, Senate reporter for CQ Roll Call.

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Analysis: Congressional negotiations 'frustrating as hell'

Stan Collender, a federal budget expert and a partner at Qorvis Communications, joined the Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris to discuss the twists and turns of the budget negotiations.

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