In 1980, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) became the first government agency to shut down due to a lapse in funding, a closure that lasted only one day. This unprecedented event was triggered by an Attorney General's opinion ruling that continuing operations without appropriations violated the 1884 Antideficiency Act; previously, agencies would simply continue operating during funding disputes. While quickly resolved, this single-day shutdown established a precedent, creating a new political tool that has since led to common and often prolonged government shutdowns affecting employees and operations for decades.
Read more: https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/10/time-one-agency-shut-down-one-day-and-changed-government-forever/409087/
