Congress left D.C. Friday after failing to pass a spending plan to avert a government shutdown that could come in eight days. Members from both chambers are in their districts and states this week in observance of Rosh Hashanah.
The House narrowly passed a plan Friday that would keep the government open essentially at current spending levels through Nov. 20.
The bill was rejected the same day in the Senate, where Republicans need some Democratic support. An alternative plan from Democrats also failed.
What We’re Watching
Appropriators and budget forecasters have said for a while that if Congress passes a stopgap spending agreement, it will happen next Monday or Tuesday, the final days of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.
Watch this week to see how members of Congress talk about the possibility of a government shutdown with their constituents.
We’ll also be tracking whether President Trump weighs in. He encouraged House Republicans to support the mostly “clean” continuing resolution that passed Friday. If he makes further comments, it could affect the chances for bipartisan negotiations or chart a path to let most of the federal government shut down Oct. 1.
When Congress returns, we’ll also watch to see if they pass legislation to ensure DOD service members and uniformed personnel of the Coast Guard – which falls under the Department of Homeland Security – would get paid during a government shutdown.
Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick P. Evenson
