Archive for October 2025

This Week in Congress Government operations were abruptly halted at midnight on Wednesday when the Senate failed to pass either the Republican or Democratic Continuing Resolution (CR). By a vote of 55-45, the Senate defeated the Republican version, which aimed to extend government funding through November 20. Notably, Sen. Paul (R-KY) sided with Democrats in…

Status of FY 2026 Funding: Government Shutdown! The federal government shut down this week, and it will impact all agencies and programs that rely on annual appropriations because Congress has not yet enacted any of the twelve FY 2026 spending bills.  During a shutdown, federal agencies must discontinue all non-essential discretionary functions paid for by…

The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act Rep. Smucker (R-PA) reintroduced the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act.  In addition to Rep. Smucker, the bill is cosponsored by Reps. Amodei (R-NV), Ciscomani (R-AZ), Cuellar (D-TX), Davis (D-NC), Harris (R-MD), Kelly (R-PA), Kennedy (R-UT), McCormick (R-GA), Salazar (R-FL), and Suozzi (D-NY).  The act establishes a targeted,…

SCOTUS Rules on Pocket Rescission The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to effectively cancel about $4 billion in congressionally appropriated foreign aid funds. The ruling paused part of a lower court ruling requiring the administration to spend appropriated funds before they expire on Sept. 30. The unsigned order, which drew a dissent from…

New House Party Ratios Last week, Adelita Grijalva was elected to the seat previously held by her father, former-Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), who died earlier this year.  Once she is sworn in, party ratios in the House will be 219 Republicans and 214 Democrats.  Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will continue to have a two-vote majority.…