[Update - 4/9/2011. Based on the announcement late last night, the Federal government will not be closing on Monday. But the agreement that was reached yesterday still needs to be documented and voted on by the House and Senate. But, barring an unforeseen breakdown in the deal, these shutdown instructions can be shelved - at least temporarily. Congress will be voting on an authorization to extend the Federal debt limit in the next month or so, and will have to approve a fiscal year 2012 budget before the end of the current budget year on September 30. Plenty of possibilities to have to dust off these instructions for use at a later date]

The FCC has just released its plans for an Orderly Shutdown in the event that there is no agreement for funding the government passed by Congress by midnight tonight. As set forth in that plan, FCC employees would arrive at work on Monday for purposes of securing their work premises. Except for a few essential employees, all others would be furloughed, and thus have to turn around and go home. They would not be able to perform any official functions. The FCC's plan states that the work that could not be performed includes: .......