The U.S. Department of Health, for example, has in place a contingency plan for agency operations during a government shutdown, with 49,625 staff members considered essential and 40,887 staff members being furloughed, which breaks down to 55% retained and 45% furloughed.

As Congress debates a path forward, government operations that people rely on and paychecks for millions of federal workers hang in the balance. Here is what you need to know about what a government shutdown is and how it could affect you: The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse,