During a government shutdown, a critical question arises: What happens if essential federal workers don’t show up to work? The answer lies in the Antideficiency Act, a federal law that clarifies which government functions must persist despite a lack of appropriated funding.
Because of this law, agencies designate certain positions as 'essential' and others as 'nonessential.' Employees in essential roles are required to report to work; failing to do so could result in disciplinary measures such as suspension or termination, not to mention potentially disruptive consequences.
For illustration, consider the unprecedented 35-day government shutdown from 2018 into 2019, the longest in U.S. history. During this period, significant disruptions occurred when unpaid air traffic controllers and airport security personnel called in sick, resulting in severe delays for thousands of flights.
The situation led to long lines at airports, grounded workers, and significant financial losses for airlines, totaling tens of millions. The interconnectedness of federal obligations and public service is clear when the exclusions of the Antideficiency Act are in play.
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