The federal government remains shut down, with approximately 750,000 nonessential personnel furloughed. The Senate returns to Washington this week to continue voting on a clean continuing resolution that would extend government funding through November 21. Democrats remain mostly unified in their opposition to the measure, demanding that any funding bill must include an extension of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. House Republican leadership has also held firm, keeping the lower chamber out of session.
The upper chamber will vote this week on the nominations of Harold D. Mooty III for the Northern District of Alabama, Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe for the Middle District of Florida, William W. Mercer for the District of Montana, and Stephen Chad Meredith for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Senators will also vote on a resolution to block armed forces from engaging within or against Venezuela without prior congressional approval.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) may take up a bill from Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) that would provide funding for federal employees whose work is continuing during a shutdown. The proposal would not, however, cover paychecks for furloughed employees and owed back pay under a 2019 law.
Separately, President Trump will host Senate Republicans at the White House to thank them for their unity during the government shutdown and will meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss relations between the two nations. Later this week, the President will travel to Asia, with stops in Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia, and may meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade and tariffs.
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