Congress passed a continuing resolution on Wednesday to keep the government funded for the next two weeks. The measure is now headed to President Obama.

The new spending bill funds government until March 18. So what’s next?

WFED’s Mike Causey says if there is a shutdown, it will be very different from the partial government shutdowns in 1995 and 1996.

Causey said the good news is that not as big of a percentage of people would be sent home, based on who is considered an excepted employee who is exempt from furlough in a shutdown.

But the bad news is the “distinct possibility” furloughed feds will not get paid this time around.

Historically, Congress has voted after the fact to pay furloughed employees.

But now, Causey said, “Given the mood of this Congress, they could consider [not giving backpay] a savings.”

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