The U.S. government partially shut down on December 22 after
lawmakers failed to agree on appropriations to fund certain federal
operations. The shutdown impacts hundreds of thousands of
government employees, nine federal departments, and several
agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal
Trade Commission (FTC), which are jointly responsible for antitrust
enforcement.
The DOJ and FTC both have contingency plans in place to govern
operations in the event of a lapse in appropriations. Under these
plans, in accordance with federal law, employees will be furloughed
during the shutdown with limited exceptions, including for
employees performing work considered essential to protect safety or
property. The DOJ projects that roughly 40% of Antitrust Division
personnel (264 employees) will be excepted from furlough, while the
FTC estimates that 43% of employees in the Bureau of Competition
(132 employees) will continue to work. Because the shutdown
