TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Paul Burch on Sep 19, 2023

The federal courts will remain open and continue operations for at least two weeks should Congress fail to pass legislation to avert the fourth government shutdown in a decade, reports Reuters. The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives and the Democratic-led Senate have until Sept. 30 to approve legislation to keep federal agencies open. Bills moving through Congress would give the federal judiciary a modest budget increase for 2024. Though most government functions would cease Oct. 1 should no spending measure be passed, the federal judiciary retains some ability to stay open by using court fee balances and other funds not dependent on congressional appropriations.