As government functions were deemed essential or nonessential, the topic of what is and is not an essential government service was on the minds of many Twitter users.
The admonitions came on a sweltering day of 90-degree heat, but were deemed essential to ensure at least limited water supplies until power could be restored to the Haworth plant.
Deep discounts on tickets for members of Parliament and the news media were eliminated in January and service to unprofitable airports was discontinued, two riskier steps that are still drawing protests but were deemed essential to long-term profitability.
Mr. LaHood said those employees were working without pay because they were deemed essential a under federal law that allows some government workers to work in the event of a government shutdown.
Virginia officials said the 1995 shutdown had little effect on state tax collections: many of Virginia's federal and military workers were deemed essential, and its nonessential federal workers who were furloughed were reimbursed for their lost wages.
Many civilian employees of the Defense Department could be furloughed, but some would continue working, if their duties were deemed essential to national security or to the protection of life and property.
