Lapses in Federal appropriations (Government Shutdown) cause extreme issues for National Guard readiness. During a lapse, Service Members (SM) do not perform their scheduled Inactive Duty Training (Drill Weekends) or Annual Training and therefore are not paid. Since many Service Members rely on this pay for their monthly budget, any loss thereof can be detrimental. Moreover, many SMs on temporary duty supporting Guard activities must be immediately removed from this duty creating a hardship for the SM and missions incomplete. Additionally, most Service Members are unable to attend key career development training required for promotion during a lapse. These Service Members may not be able to make up such training for up to two years. This causes a shortage of key leaders in all National Guard formations. Also, most National Guard equipment is maintained by Federal employees that are not considered "excepted" (exempt from furlough). When funds lapse, no equipment is maintained leading to large backlogs. This leads to inoperable equipment not available for State and Federal emergencies. Furthermore, such a backlog may require the payment of compensatory time or overtime to Federal employees. To summarize, all National Guard activities should be considered excepted and immune from furlough. This includes pay for drill weekends, annual training and temporary duty. Relevant career development training should not be curtailed and all Federal employees of the National Guard and traditional Guardsmen should be considered "essential" and not subject to furlough.