With government shutdown looming, see which states have the most federal employees

As Congress continues to argue over spending, the federal government will likely shut down on Sunday, disrupting services, closing parks, and forcing some employees to work without pay until funding is restored.

Like any home or business, the federal government must pay its bills and when Congress can’t agree on how to appropriate money for funding, the government shuts down.

Lawmakers have until 12:01 a.m. Sunday to pass legislation to fund the government but it's increasingly doubtful the House and Senate will reach an agreement before then.

Time is running out. Here’s what could happen:

Where federal employees work

What happens during a government shutdown?

During a shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal workers, those deemed nonessential, are furloughed, or sent home without pay.

Employees who are classified as essential for critical operations in defense, energy, agriculture, and other sectors would continue to work, but without pay. They are reimbursed later.

When have government shutdowns taken place?

The federal government has closed down 21 times since 1977, with a total of 162 days. That's an average of nearly eight days per shutdown.

The president with the highest number of shutdown days is Jimmy Carter, who had 56 days in five separate shutdowns from 1977 to 1979. Bill Clinton is third with 26 days in a single year in 1995.

An analysis shows the longest shutdown, 34 days, took place under President Donald Trump, who had a total of 38 days of closure.

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Associated Press