Congress Scrambles To Avoid Friday Government Shutdown Again!
Congress has until Friday to avert yet another government shutdown with a game of kick-the-can (via Continuing Resolution, or CR), and a bipartisan funding deal is nowhere in sight.
Here’s where things stand; though no one expects the lights to actually go out in Washington, this week is shaping up to be a political circus.
According to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), a CR is “moving along, almost there,” while Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) said “it’s getting close to being closed out,” and “hopefully” we’ll see text today.
The Farm Bill Face-Off could be the latest snag. A fight over economic assistance for farmers as part of a one-year extension to the farm bill.
Also hanging in the balance is a sweeping health deal that would overhaul pharmacy benefit managers, extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities, and reauthorize the SUPPORT Act – a 2018 measure to address the opioid crisis. The pressure is on for Johnson to strike a deal, but he’s caught between pleasing Democrats and keeping his own party in line.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/congress-scrambles-avoid-friday-government-shutdown