Government Executive Get the latest pay and benefits news delivered to your inbox. email A Guide to Pay and Benefits During a Shutdown Although lawmakers ultimately expect to reach a deal on federal appropriations, failure to pass a bill before Friday’s deadline could lead to a short lapse in funding. Here's what feds need to know. As of Wednesday, lawmakers and the White House had just two days to complete negotiations and pass an omnibus spending package to avert a government shutdown beginning Friday night. If President Trump does not sign appropriations legislation or a continuing resolution, federal agencies would be forced to limit their activities or shut down entirely beginning Dec. 19. Although congressional leaders in both parties are confident they will reach a deal on agency funding and coronavirus relief, the longer negotiations persist, the more likely it will be that a short-term continuing resolution will be needed to avoid a lapse in appropriations.