The partial government shutdown is now in its fifth day. With the Senate out until Thursday and the two sides still far apart in their negotiations, it is very possible that the shutdown could last until after New Year’s Day. Democrats are scheduled to take over the control of the House on January 3.
Category: Congressional To Do
How Long Will It Last?
With President Trump renewing his vow to shut down the government over wall funding, the question now, at least in the short term, seems to be, “How long will it last?”
Earlier this week, after the Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) that would keep the government through February 8, it appeared that the President was backing away from his previous public proclamations that he welcomed a shutdown. Since then, he had another change of heart, forcing the House, which is controlled by Republicans until January 3, to take up and pass a new CR that included $5 billion for a wall along the border.
With the clock counting down towards a shutdown at midnight Saturday morning ET, various parties are now in negotiations over how to proceed. Congressional Democrats have reiterated that they have no interest in the $5 billion for the wall.
Regardless the result of the negotiations between two parties, the two chambers, and the different branches of government, the House is out of session until Noon ET tomorrow. This means that we will in likelihood be dealing with at least a short-term partial shutdown of the government. How long will it last? Stay tuned.
CR Lasting Through Feb. 8 Unveiled
The Senate is currently working on a continuing resolution (CR) that would keep the government open through February 8 of next year. Along with keeping the departments and agencies financed through the seven currently unsigned appropriations bill funded through February 8, the measure would also extend a number of other expiring or expired programs, such as the National Flood Insurance and Temporary Assistance of Needy Families programs.
After Senate passage, the House, which is scheduled to reconvene this evening, will need to take up the measure.
Although President Trump has backed off his earlier call for a shutdown, it still remains to be seen whether he will sign this CR.
White House Backs Down on Shutdown Threat
It appears that the White House is backing away from President’s Trump threat to shut down parts of the government over funding for a Southern border wall. Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said earlier today that there are other ways to get $5 billion for the wall.
Although the White House has pulled back from shutdown threat, it remains to be seen how the Friday shutdown deadline will be dealt with, as Congressional Republicans, Democrats, and the Administration must all agree on a plan before then.
Two-Week CR Signed
President Trump has signed into law a two-week continuing resolution (CR). The most recent CR pushes back the deadline for an agreement on the unsigned FY2019 spending bills to December 21.