A continuing resolution is a temporary funding measure used by the U.S. federal government to keep government operations running when regular appropriations bills have not been enacted by the start of the fiscal year. It provides funding at existing levels (or with specified adjustments) for a set period, preventing a lapse in funding and a potential government shutdown while Congress and the Executive branch work out longer-term budget appropriations.

Key points:

• Purpose: Avoid funding gaps when regular appropriations are delayed or blocked.

• Scope: Typically covers all or parts of federal agencies and programs, with specified coverage and funding rates during the CR period.

• Duration: Can be short-term (days or weeks) or full-year, depending on how long Congress expects the regular appropriations process to take.

• Types: Commonly used as a stopgap to bridge the period until full appropriations are enacted; some CRs may modify or cap certain budget items, but generally preserve existing funding levels.

• Context: Often employed in times of political gridlock or when negotiations on the annual budget are incomplete; failure to pass a CR or regular appropriations can lead to a government shutdown.

If you’d like, I can tailor this explanation to a specific context (e.g., a recent CR, how it affects a particular agency, or how funding rates are calculated).