Congressional leaders are urgently trying to find a way to avoid a potential government shutdown after President-elect Donald Trump instructed Republicans to reject a bipartisan temporary funding bill on Wednesday.

Just like any household or business, the federal government needs to pay its expenses. If Congress fails to reach an agreement on budget appropriations, the government will shut down.

On Tuesday, lawmakers came together on a bipartisan plan for a continuing resolution that would last three months, which would help keep the government running and prevent furloughs for thousands of federal employees during the holiday season.

This proposed bill spans over 1,500 pages and includes several additional provisions, such as more than $100 billion in disaster relief for hurricane-stricken states, measures to reduce drug costs, and raises for Congress members, according to reports from YSL News.

Funding for the government is set to expire this Friday evening as Congress plans to go on recess for the holidays. If a new funding bill isn’t approved by then, the shutdown will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.

Here’s what happens when a government shutdown occurs:

Workplaces of federal employees

The impact of a government shutdown

During a shutdown, many federal employees, particularly those classified as nonessential, will be furloughed, meaning they are sent home without pay.

However, essential workers in critical areas such as defense, energy, and agriculture will remain on the job, though they will not receive their paychecks immediately. They will be compensated later on.

A history of government shutdowns

Since 1977, the federal government has experienced 21 shutdowns, totaling 162 days. On average, each shutdown lasts nearly eight days.

Jimmy Carter holds the record for the most shutdown days, with 56 days across five shutdowns from 1977 to 1979. Bill Clinton ranks third for having 26 shutdown days in 1995.

The longest shutdown occurred during Donald Trump’s presidency, lasting 35 days, with a total of 38 days across various shutdowns.

“Republicans need to be SMART and TOUGH,” Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance stated in a joint release on Wednesday. “If Democrats threaten a government shutdown unless they get everything they demand, then CALL THEIR BLUFF.”

Trump later warned Republican legislators who disregard his priorities during the funding negotiations that they might face challengers in the upcoming primaries, as reported by YSL News.