Pentagon, OMB release plans for possible government shutdown

The Defense Department and White House Office of Management and Budget have released guidance to employees and contractors in the event of a government shutdown at midnight that would, among other impacts, halt the pay of active military personnel and furlough many civilian employees and contractors.

Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan sent a DOD-wide memo Thursday instructing the department to prepare for a lapse in appropriations.

"The secretary and I hope that the Congress will pass a CR or an annual appropriations bill for defense activities during FY 2018," he wrote. "However, prudent management requires that the department be prepared for the possibility of a lapse in appropriations."

A potential shutdown would not impact U.S. military operations abroad and the department will continue to fund specific national security priorities that are exempt from the shutdown.

But all military personnel on active duty "will not be paid until such a time as Congress makes appropriated funds available to compensate them for this period of service," the memo states.

The memo further states that civilian employees who are not exempt from the shutdown and are not necessary to carry out or support exempt activities will be furloughed without pay.

Shanahan also issued a second memo the same day titled "Potential for Lapse in Funding," and OMB released a memo today with frequently asked questions about what to do during a shutdown.

The House passed a short-term continuing resolution Thursday night to keep the government open until Feb. 16, but the Senate continues to debate the bill today.