Government shutdown pauses marriage licenses in D.C.

State of play: Government shutdowns cease some non-essential operations at the D.C. Superior Court, per its plan. That includes the Marriage Bureau.

• An emergency bill under consideration by the council Tuesday mimics temporary legislation passed in January 2019, during a 35-day government shutdown.
• Council member Christina Henderson introduced the "Let Our Vows Endure Emergency Amendment Act," aka LOVE Act.

Between the lines: While D.C. local services stay funded during the shutdown, the courts are federally funded, hence a lapse in service.

• Essential functions including criminal lockups remain running, said Council Chair Phil Mendelson.