The House-passed continuing resolution (CR) failed for the ninth time Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 51-44. No one deviated from their previous votes. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) did not vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and many other Republicans have referred to the upcoming No Kings protests on October 18 as a potential pivot point, after which the Democrats may be willing to acquiesce.
The Senate is expected to vote on the Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Bill Thursday. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) advocated for a minibus that links appropriation bills by the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education subcommittee; Commerce, Justice, Science subcommittee; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development subcommittee, to the DOD bill. Senate Republicans continue to try to advance appropriations bills in regular order; however, these bills are not expected to pass, as they are unlikely to receive significant Democratic support at this time.
Funding the Troops
There is tremendous political support for ensuring the military troops are paid. Today, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum formally redirecting pay for military and Reserve Component military personnel who have performed active service during the lapse in funding. The memorandum directs the Secretary of War and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to use “any funds appropriated by the Congress that remain available for expenditure in Fiscal Year 2026 to accomplish the scheduled disbursement of military pay and allowances.”
Congress is exerting oversight on how the money is being moved. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) called for the White House to provide the Senate Appropriations Committee with a list of what “work” and “contracts” are being canceled in order to shift these funds. Democrats have also questioned the shift in funding.
Reductions in Force
OMB Director Russell Vought said today that the shutdown layoffs are set to total approximately 10,000. However, a California federal judge has temporarily blocked the shutdown layoffs, siding with government employee unions. The judge’s order directs the Administration to not issue any new reduction-in-force (RIF) notices or take any steps to implement the RIFs issued last Friday.
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