The country is inching closer to a government shutdown when the fiscal year ends Saturday night. Here’s the latest:

• “Based on what we know right now, it seems exceedingly likely that the federal government is going to shut down this weekend. Full stop.” That’s how Punchbowl News opened its morning newsletter today, along with detailed analysis of the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering happening at the Capitol.
• The Senate advanced a continuing resolution Tuesday that would fund the government for 45 days and provide some funding for Ukraine aid and domestic disaster relief. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he will object to its quick consideration, potentially slowing the process down when there’s very little time to spare.
• A draft continuing resolution in the House includes border security language and spending cuts to non-defense programs. It is unlikely to come to the floor for a vote, observers said.
• The House is focused this week on four long-term spending bills, including the defense appropriations bill, which is finally on the floor for a vote. Even if those pass, they won’t help with the looming shutdown.
• Even a brief shutdown can delay paychecks and hurt service member morale, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said this morning on NPR’s Morning Edition. “You don’t join the military to get rich. Certainly, the pay is good, but they need those paychecks. They’ve got rent, they’ve got mortgages, they’ve got groceries.” Kirby also mentioned the negative impact on DOD civilians and contractors, most of whom would be furloughed or have their work paused.
• Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on CNN that a shutdown would send the wrong message to the world. “If the U.S. government shuts down, China, Russia, North Korea, Iran — these are countries that are not shutting down, that are continuing their operations,” she said, according to Politico.

Getty Images photo by Drew Angerer