During a shutdown, the federal government would be unable to pay its millions of employees, including members of the military and reservists, just before the holidays.

The U.S. Department of Health, for example, has in place a contingency plan for agency operations during a government shutdown, with 49,625 staff members considered essential and 40,887 staff members being furloughed, which breaks down to 55% retained and 45% furloughed.

The House passed a spending bill that will avoid a government shutdown. Republicans withdrew from a prior deal after criticism from Donald Trump and Elon Musk.