nonessential

The federal government shut down for the first time in six years late Tuesday, requiring federal agencies to stop all nonessential work.

The first shutdown in six years went into effect late Tuesday and requires federal agencies to stop all nonessential work.

When the government shuts down, the law requires all nonessential government services to cease, requiring most federal workers to go on furlough or work without pay.

Almost 30 years ago, toward the end of President Clinton’s first term in office, Republicans in Congress forced a government shutdown that led some 800,000 nonessential federal workers to be furloughed.

The report says that in five of the last six years, women are spending a greater share of their earnings on nonessential goods like clothes, dining out or entertainment.