Senate leaders have reached a deal on a stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown. The agreement, reached by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, includes funding the government through November 17th. The bill also includes approximately $6 billion in new aid to Ukraine and roughly $6 billion in disaster funding. Schumer stated that the government will be funded at present levels while maintaining a commitment to Ukraine’s security and humanitarian needs, as well as providing resources for those impacted by natural disasters. In other news, President Joe Biden became the first sitting US president to visit a union picket line, expressing support for higher wages for workers. Congress, however, is facing challenges in passing a stopgap funding bill, with House Republicans focusing on long-term appropriations bills instead. The possibility of a government shutdown on October 1st looms. Shutdowns result in federal government employees being put on furlough, while essential workers continue to work without pay until Congress acts to end the shutdown. Shutdowns also affect national parks, passport processing, research, and various other government services. The Biden administration has warned that food safety inspections and prevention of dangerous material releases into drinking water could also be impacted. The history of US government shutdowns shows that they have become more frequent in recent decades due to political polarization. Notable shutdowns include those in 1995, 2013, and 2018-2019. In other news, Congressman Matt Gaetz has expressed a desire to have Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed, citing poor leadership in the House. The House is currently debating rules for long-term appropriations bills that would fund defense, agriculture, the state department, and homeland security, but these bills would not avert a shutdown and are unlikely to gain support in the Senate. The Senate has voted to advance a temporary funding bill to avoid a shutdown, and Donald Trump plans to appeal a court ruling that found him guilty of fraud. Trump has also added two veteran attorneys to his criminal defense team as he faces multiple criminal charges.
