D.C. Circuit Says Shutdown Won’t Affect Operations, ‘At Least Initially’

The operations of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit won’t be affected, “at least initially,” in the federal government shutdown that begins Saturday at 12:01 a.m., unless Congress enacts an appropriations bill or a continuing resolution, said the court in an updated announcement Monday. Cases calendared for oral argument in November and December “will proceed as scheduled,” said the court. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has announced that the federal judiciary “is prepared to use carryover funds and fees to keep the courts running for several weeks,” it said. But once that funding is “exhausted” the federal courts could face “serious disruptions,” it said. Should it become necessary for the D.C. Circuit to limit activities, an updated announcement will be posted on the court’s website, it said.