A stopgap funding bill is a temporary measure passed by Congress to keep the government open and funded for a short period of time while lawmakers negotiate more detailed legislation that sets funding for federal programs. These bills are typically passed when Congress is unable to agree on a full appropriations bill before the start of the fiscal year, which begins on October 1st. Stopgap funding bills can provide funding for a few weeks to a few months, depending on the length of time needed for negotiations. The bills usually maintain funding at current levels and do not include significant policy changes. If Congress fails to pass a stopgap funding bill or a full appropriations bill, the government may shut down, which can result in furloughs for federal employees and the suspension of non-essential government services.