A continuing resolution (CR) is a temporary spending bill that keeps the federal government funded at existing levels when Congress has not passed full-year appropriations bills before the fiscal year begins (October 1). CRs typically fund the government at the prior year's spending rates and are valid for a set number of days or weeks, after which Congress must pass another CR, a full appropriations bill, or face a government shutdown.
CRs are stopgap measures—they fund at flat rates, prohibit new programs from starting, and generally prevent agencies from making major spending shifts. They have become increasingly common as Congress regularly fails to complete the full appropriations process. In extended CR periods, agencies cannot plan long-term contracts, start new projects, or adjust to changing conditions. Military readiness, construction projects, and grant programs are particularly disrupted by extended CRs.
If Congress fails to pass either a CR or full appropriations legislation, funding lapses and a government shutdown begins. Unlike CRs, shutdowns are not governed by a statute; they occur automatically under the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from spending money not appropriated by Congress. Most CRs are passed in the final hours before a deadline, under pressure to avoid a shutdown.
The U.S. government has operated under continuing resolutions rather than full appropriations bills for most of the last two decades. Every CR is a sign that Congress failed to do its basic job of passing annual spending bills. When CRs run out, government workers don't get paid, services stop, and the political blame game begins.
A continuing resolution does not mean the government is "funded"—it means it's funded temporarily, at frozen levels. Agencies can't start new programs under a CR, which compounds over time if the CR runs for months. A CR also doesn't prevent a shutdown; it only delays one until the CR expires.
The U.S. government has operated under continuing resolutions rather than full appropriations bills for most of the last two decades. Every CR is a sign that Congress failed to do its basic job of passing annual spending bills. When CRs run out, government workers don't get paid, services stop, and the political blame game begins.
A continuing resolution does not mean the government is "funded"—it means it's funded temporarily, at frozen levels. Agencies can't start new programs under a CR, which compounds over time if the CR runs for months. A CR also doesn't prevent a shutdown; it only delays one until the CR expires.