Shutdown, but still operating.

A government shutdown calls for the essential parts of the government to continue full function, and other insignificant parts to pause their production.

The government was shutdown on January 20. However, some government systems are still allowed to conduct fundamental tasks. Today, the Senate voted to reopen the government and this bill was also passed by the House of Representatives, now sending the bill to President Trump for his signature.

The government was shutdown after Congress failed to come to an agreement on a must-pass spending bill. Nonessential government employees were placed on furlough, meaning they could not come back to work for more than four hours a day until the government resumes regular operations. Employees viewed as essential continued working during this time. 

This shutdown affected the White House by placing 1,056 employees on furlough and keeping 656 essential employees working during the shutdown, the military was still operating but they had a possibility of not getting paid for their hours during this time and most national parks were closed. However, the postal service is still fully operating during a shutdown and so are school systems.

After three days of this limited government activity, full function is close to being resumed, which was approved by both the Senate and the House today.