This week, as the government shutdown passes the 35-day, setting a record for longest shut down in history, little progress has been made in resolving the impasse. Senate Democrats are demanding that Congress address Affordable Care Act subsidies now before they will support a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund government operations. Republicans are insisting on opening the government before addressing other issues.
The faceoff between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate shows little progress in finding a compromise that would allow the Federal government to reopen shuttered offices as the impasse enters its third week. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) continues to bring the House passed continuing resolution(CR) up for a vote in an attempt to get the eight democrat votes needed to pass the measure. Democrats, however, insist they will not support a funding measure that fails to include an extension of subsidies for health insurance obtained through the Obamacare marketplace. Republicans want to pass a clean CR to reopen the government and address the health subsidies in separate legislation. House Speaker Mike Johnson, (R-La) continues to keep the House out of session while the shutdown is ongoing. The House last held votes on Sept. 19, when Republicans pushed through the CR that has stalled in the Senate.
As the government shutdown enters its second week there is no deal in sight to end the impasse. Punchbowl news reports the Senate will vote this week - for the fifth time - on advancing the House-passed Continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies through Nov. 21. However, there is no indication that the eight Senate Democrat votes needed to pass the bill can be found. Senate GOP leaders continue to believe that eventually enough votes will emerge as the standoff continues and pressure mounts to get a deal done. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) intends to continue to bring the measure up for additional votes. Speaker Johnson (R-LA) has kept the House in recess for an additional week believing that he has done his job and it is now up the Senate.
<brView MoreUp against another government shutdown deadline, Congress approved another funding extension to March. Both sides gave some in the negotiations to satisfy majorities in Congress. However, House Speaker Johnson is slowly losing key Republican support which 1) then requires more Democratic support on future funding votes and 2) raises questions on his ability to lead House Republicans.
On the tax front, House Ways and Means Committee today begins consideration of a $80 billion bipartisan tax bill. The bill under consideration would restore companies’ ability to deduct the entire cost of certain equipment or capital expenditures and makes it easier to deduct interest expenses. Amendments on repeal of the death tax are expected in be introduced.
Lawmakers are inching ever closer to a government shutdown. It’s true that Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year, is still two weeks away, but House conservatives continue to play hardball with Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.