Government Shutdown: Funding Lapse Furlough Information

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the number of federal employees subject to furlough due to the funding lapse in fiscal year (FY) 1996 appropriations authority. GAO noted that: (1) as of November 30, 1995, seven of the 13 appropriations bills have been enacted; (2) several agencies' contingency plans do not contain sufficient furlough information; (3) 36.2 percent of the employees under the FY 1996 Departments of Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary appropriations bill are subject to furlough; (4) 47.3 percent of the employees under the FY 1996 Interior appropriations bill are subject to furlough; (5) 57.5 percent of the employees under the FY 1996 Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill are subject to furlough; and (6) 21.9 percent of the employees under the FY 1996 Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies appropriations bill are subject to furlough.