Congress Has 30 Days Before a Government Shutdown Deadline

News Analysis WASHINGTON—The U.S. government will shut down in 30 days if Congress does not act to fund it. So far, there is no plan to do so. The government regularly faces the risk of a shutdown when agencies lack the necessary funds to operate. The Constitution requires that any money “drawn from the Treasury” be authorized, or “appropriated,” by Congress, which is responsible for passing the necessary funding bills before the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. Since fiscal year 1998, Congress has failed to do so, making it necessary to extend the previous year’s funding levels through continuing resolutions (CRs) to keep the government running....