Eric S Crusius is a Partner in our
Tysons office.
Kara M Ariail is a Partner in our
Tysons office.
Editor's Note: The last time we faced an impending
government shutdown, our Government Contracts Team posted a blog
regarding what contractors should do in the event of a shutdown.
That post has been updated below.
With less than a day before appropriated funding runs out for
some federal agencies, confidence in avoiding a potential shutdown
is waning. Because of that, contractors should exercise
prudence and immediately begin preparations for a potential
shutdown.
The Anatomy of a Government Shutdown
A shutdown is simply caused by a lapse in appropriated funding.
The requirement that the government only spends what has been
appropriated by Congress is based on Article 1, Section 9, Clause 7
of the U.S. Constitution and reiterated by the Anti-Deficiency Act
(31 U.S.C. § 1341) which provides, in relevant part, that:
"(a)(1) An officer or employee of the
