Government funding will lapse at midnight on Friday, December 20 absent Congressional action. With a number of contentious issues still at play including the debt limit, disaster aid funding, and pay raises for lawmakers, a shutdown is looking more and more likely.

Below is a breakdown of how key agencies will be impacted by a lapse in funding.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

According to the Department of Homeland Security’s contingency plan, cargo inspection functions at ports of entry will remain active during a shutdown. However, certain activities such as training and auditing are not required to be carried out during this time. In addition, back-office support positions are not likely to be deemed essential and will be furloughed. Refunds, audits, ruling requests, etc. would be delayed until the shutdown ends.

There remains uncertainty around which specific offices will be deemed essential. For example, Forced Labor Communications may be furloughed, resulting in delays in reviewing Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) and Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) allegations.

U.S. Department of Commerce

According to the Department of Commerce’s contingency plan, some International Trade Administration (ITA) activities such as trade policy negotiations will be considered necessary for national security and will operate during a shutdown.

However, many other activities are not likely to be deemed essential. For example, in the last shutdown in 2019, the ITA and the Bureau of Industry and Security operated with a significantly reduced staff and budget. All antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations and administrative proceedings will stop.

U.S. Department of Treasury

Under the Department of Treasury’s