Funding Gaps Jeopardize Federal Government Operations

Interruptions in federal agency funding at the beginning of the fiscal year (FY) and operations on continuing resolutions have become the norm rather than the exception. During the normal deliberations process on appropriations for FY 1981, it became clear that a funding gap might develop. In response to the President's request for an opinion on the Antideficiency Act, the Attorney General ruled that the act required agencies to terminate all operations when their current appropriations expired. In addition, the Attorney General stated that the Department of Justice would strictly enforce the criminal provisions of the act in cases of future willful violations.