PHOTO-MUG; INFO-GRAPHIC,,James Schwartz; ILLUSTRATION,,Michael Drew CAPTION:[Thomas S. Foley]. CAPTION:THE FURLOUGH SPECTER: POSSIBLE SCENARIOS No Appropriations Bill Each year Congress must pass 13 appropriations bills to fund the federal government for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. To date, none of the bills has passed in final form. If Congress fails to approve a stop-gap appropriations measure called a "continuing resolution," the government will shut down Monday due to lack of funds. - Result A small number of "essential employees" would remain on the federal payroll, but all others would be sent home. In the past, employees have received pay retroactively for the hours they were out of work. No Deficit Agreement Congress and the administration also must agree to cut the deficit, as specified by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. If they can't agree by Oct. 1, automatic spending cuts called "sequestration" will take effect on Monday. - Result 1.1 million employees who have received notices could expect to be furloughed. Continuing Resolution with Furlough Provision Congress also is considering a continuing resolution that would fund the government until Oct. 20 and defer furloughs, but President [George Bush] has said he will veto such a measure. - Result If Congress could override the president's veto, this alternative would mean no shutdown and no furloughs until Oct. 20. Continuing Resolution Only Another option under consideration is a continuing resolution that would fund the government until Oct. 20 but would allow furloughs to begin Oct. 1. - Result The government would not shut down, but 1.1 million civilian employees could expect to be furloughed.