The federal government remains in a shutdown, with approximately 750,000 nonessential personnel furloughed. The Senate returns to Washington this week with no clear path to reopening the nation’s shuttered federal operations. Republicans insist that the only viable option is to pass a clean continuing resolution extending government funding through November 21. Democrats maintain that any funding bill must include an extension of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year.
Additionally, House Republican leadership has signaled that the lower chamber will not return to Washington until the Senate approves a funding bill. Further complicating the process are threats by the Administration to fire tens of thousands of federal employees during the shutdown, in addition to those already furloughed.
The upper chamber will vote on a bloc of nominations, including U.S. attorneys, ambassadors, and agency heads, and will also vote on a resolution (S.J. Res. 71) from Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) that would terminate President Trump’s national energy emergency.
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