SEPTEMBER 28, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is heading toward a shutdown this weekend that will disrupt many services, squeeze workers and roil politics. It comes as Republicans in the House, fueled by hard-right demands for deep cuts, force a confrontation over federal spending. While some government entities will be exempt, others will be severely curtailed. Social Security checks, for example, will still go out. But federal agencies will stop all actions deemed non-essential. And millions of federal employees, including members of the military, won’t receive paychecks. The shutdown will begin Oct. 1, 2023, if Congress is not able to enact a funding plan.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is starkly divided over very different paths to preventing a federal shutdown. The Senate is charging ahead with a bipartisan package to temporarily fund the government and bolster Ukraine aid and U.S. disaster funds. Meanwhile, the House is slogging through a longshot effort to pass various funding bills with no real chance of finishing by Saturday’s (Sept. 30, 2023) deadline. With days remaining before a federal closure, the stakes are rising. A shutdown would furlough millions of federal employees, leave the military without pay, disrupt air travel and cut off vital safety net services. The White House says it’s up to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to keep the budget deal he made with President Joe Biden.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — With five days to go before a government shutdown, Congress returns to work in crisis mode. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces an insurgency from hard-right Republicans eager to slash spending even if it means closing federal offices to millions of Americans. On Tuesday evening, the House is expected to vote on a package of government funding bills, but it’s not at all clear that McCarthy has the support needed. Meanwhile, the Senate is trying to stave off a federal closure with its own bipartisan plan for a stopgap measure. It would buy some time and keep offices funded past Saturday’s deadline (Sept. 30, 2023).
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is returning to Capitol Hill to try to avert a government shutdown, while House Republicans consider whether to pursue an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Senators return Tuesday. Lawmakers will consider a short-term funding measure to keep government offices fully functioning and provide emergency funding for Ukraine and federal disaster funds. A Republican-driven probe into Hunter Biden’s overseas business dealings is also on the agenda. Time is running short for Congress to act on the budget. The House is scheduled to meet for just 11 days before the government’s fiscal year ends Sept. 30, 2023. Deal-making will play out as Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. Steve Scalise tackle health issues.
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