2025 AP UPDATES FOR THE GOVERNEMENT LAYOFF

The Associated Press Stylebook just released its updates concerning the government shutdown. If you are writing a letter to the editor or your legislators, please note the following updates.

shutdown (n) versus shut down (v)

The name of the congressional impasse is the noun, shutdown. The action of closing the government is the verb, to shut down.

Furlough versus layoff(n) and lay off (v)

When an employee is furloughed, they are considered on leave of absence and may “remain eligible for benefits.”

A person is “laid off” is considered let go from the position or job, the verb is used, to lay off. The noun is a layoff.

When hyphenated, “liad-off” becomes a modifier such as in a laid-off employee.

Office of Management and Budget

Office is always capitalized when it is part of the formal name. Use the full designation for the first use and the initials OBM after.

Affordable Care Act

The full term for the law is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The shorthand version is the Affordable Care Act which is used for the first reference. ACA or “Obamacare” (always in quotes) can be used thereafter.