The federal government shut down just past midnight Wednesday after the Senate failed to reach 60 votes on a stopgap bill to keep agencies open and funding flowing through Nov. 21.
The upper chamber voted 55-45 on a Republican-led bill that needed a three-fifths majority to pass. Two Democrats, Sens. John Fetterman (Penn.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.) voted with Republicans. Independent Angus King (Maine) also voted with Republicans for the bill. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the only Republican who voted with Democrats against the bill.
If the government’s lapse in appropriations lasts five days or less, “there would be no disruption” to Department of Energy operations, according to DOE’s shutdown contingency plan.
“DOE has historically had sufficient previously appropriated funds that remain available to support operations during a short term lapse,” according to the plan made public Wednesday Oct. 1.
As soon as leftover money is drawn down, DOE will start an “orderly shutdown” of work it can live without for the short term, according to the document.
“DOE would be able to shut down all non-excepted federal functions within a half day of exhaustion of available balances, with some exceptions involving the movement of nuclear materials,” DOE said. “It will take longer than a half day to shutdown some contractor performed activities in order to protect property. For example, some large equipment may need to be cooled down” beforehand.
The National Nuclear Security Administration’ (NNSA) Office of Secure Transportation is a priority, the plan notes. NNSA’s surface transportation office ensures nuclear weapons in the U.S. stockpile are in secure locations, according to the DOE.
Protecting DOE’s nuclear complex assets remains a high priority, according to the plan.
“DOE will physically protect sites (guns, guards, and gates) and maintain government equipment and property (e.g., caring for laboratory animals and ensuring that scientific equipment and nuclear reactors are safely maintained),” according to the contingency plan.
“A prolonged lapse in appropriations may require subsequent employee furloughs,” according to the DOE plan. “If there is an imminent threat to human life or protection of property, a limited number of employees may be recalled.”
According to an accompanying document, DOE had a total payroll of around 15,200 full-timers as fiscal 2025 wound down. With the Donald Trump administration’s deferred retirements and other departures, the number was expected to be 13,800 as of Wednesday. The DOE estimates it would need around 1,600 people to protect life and property and carry out certain mandated tasks during a shutdown.
Generally speaking, DOE contracts will continue “in accordance with their terms.” But that’s not a given depending on how long the shutdown drags out.
The Department of Defense (now named the Department of War by the White House), released its own contingency plan for how it will operate in the event of a shutdown. Included in exceptions is any response to emergencies that would affect nuclear reactor safety or nuclear weapons.
As for Congressional efforts to restart the government, Senate majority leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Thursday the Senate would not vote that day on a funding bill due to Yom Kippur, but the upper chamber would vote Friday. “We’re going to get my Democrat colleagues another opportunity to reopen the government by passing the clean, nonpartisan funding extension before us.”