Government Shutdown 101

The Department of Homeland Security’s funding ran out early Saturday, but don’t worry, it’s not like they’re actually shutting down. Officials claim essential functions will keep on trucking, because that’s what they always say. It’s not like they have a choice, really.

The Bare Minimum

So, what exactly does ‘essential functions’ mean? It means the bare minimum to keep the department from completely falling apart. It’s a fancy way of saying they won’t completely abandon ship, but don’t expect any miracles either. It’s business as usual, minus the business.