Stopgap funding bill

A stopgap funding bill is used by the US government to ensure that it does not run out of funds for running federal program after the deadline of an Appropriation Act. In a fiscal year, the US Congress passes 12 Appropriation Acts which gives budgetary authority to spend from the US Treasury for specific purposes. These Acts have a deadline and the funds cannot be used to address new obligations after it. When the Congress fails to fund the government, a government shutdown is declared and all non-essential services are stopped.