As we approach the deadline for passing a budget or continuing resolution for appropriations that fund operations, for the civil service including salaries, local 17 notes that the Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals emailed the following explanation:
“[W]hen Congress does not pass a budget or continuing resolution (CR), that is a “lapse in appropriations,” which most people call a government shutdown or furlough. During a lapse in appropriations, agencies and personnel generally keep working if (1) there are sufficient available appropriated funds for them to keep working, (2) their work is funded by something other than annual appropriated funds, which is not applicable to the Board, or (3) the work they do is mission essential and must continue even in the absence of appropriations. In the event of a shut down, under option 1 above the Board will be able to use carry-over funds from the current fiscal year to continue operations without the immediate need to curtail operations. As we get more information, we will keep you posted.”
