Government Shutdown Imminent: Agencies Lack Public Contingency Plans Days Before Sept. 30 Deadline
Government Shutdown Imminent: Agencies Lack Public Contingency Plans Days Before Sept. 30 Deadline
With the Sept. 30 deadline for fiscal 2026 appropriations just days away, federal agencies are grappling with unprecedented uncertainty as the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) website, typically a repository for shutdown contingency plans, remains completely blank. This critical lack of transparency leaves millions of federal employees and essential government services in limbo, as lawmakers remain far from a spending agreement.
Historically, agencies publish detailed plans outlining which employees would be furloughed and which would continue working during a funding lapse. However, the Trump administration previously removed all such plans and has yet to publish new ones, despite the looming deadline. This absence means federal workers have no clear guidance on their employment status, pay, or benefits should a shutdown occur.
Experts warn of severe repercussions. Max Stier of the Partnership for Public Service highlighted that a shutdown would exacerbate existing federal staffing challenges, potentially leading to increased service outages and backlogs. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) estimates the economic damage could surpass the $11 billion cost of the 2018-2019 shutdown, as Congress has failed to appropriate full-year funding for any government agency.
Federal employee unions, including the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), report high levels of anxiety and uncertainty among the workforce. As the countdown to Sept. 30 continues, the lack of public planning from OMB creates a volatile situation for the federal government and the American public relying on its services.
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