Government shutdown: Read the OMB memo telling federal agencies to shut down

After U.S. Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding the government by the midnight budget deadline, the Office of Management and Budget sent this memo instructing federal agencies to start shutting down.

“Unfortunately, we do not have a clear indication that Congress will act in time for the President to sign a Continuing Resolution before the end of the day tomorrow, October 1, 2013,” OMB Director Sylvia M. Burwell said in the memo. “Therefore, agencies should now execute plans for an orderly shutdown due to the absence of appropriations.”

The government shutdown will impact all federal agencies -- including the NASA office that warns the public about asteroids -- though some "essential" federal personnel will continue to work.

In the event of government shutdown, we will not be posting or responding from this account. We sincerely hope to resume tweets soon.

— Asteroid Watch (@AsteroidWatch) October 1, 2013