Congress is on government shutdown watch again.
On Sept. 30, House and Senate lawmakers passed a short-term budget extension to avoid a shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year, Oct. 1. That deal expires on Nov. 17, putting lawmakers back in the same legislative predicaments they faced in mid-September.
With less than two weeks before the funding deadline, House and Senate leaders have not made meaningful progress on a full-year budget deal or short-term compromise plan. New House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said that budget cuts or other policy riders will be included in upcoming proposals from his chamber. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has called those ideas a dead end.
Public and private negotiations this week could prove critical to avoiding a shutdown, which would halt paychecks for active-duty troops and furlough hundreds of thousands of federal workers.
Tuesday, Nov. 7
House Veterans’ Affairs —10:30 a.m. — 360 Cannon
Veteran employment issues
Outside advocates will testify on corporate efforts to hire and retain veteran employees.
House Foreign Affairs — 11:15 a.m. — Visitors Center H210
Pending legislation
The full committee will consider nine pending bills.
Wednesday, Nov. 8
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — 2200 Rayburn
Israel and the United Nations
Outside advocates will testify on United Nations officials’ rhetoric towards Israel.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen
Ukraine
State Department officials will testify on U.S. support for Ukraine.
House Veterans’ Affairs — 12 p.m. — 360 Cannon
Pending legislation
The subcommittee on disability assistance will consider nine pending bills.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Visitors Center H210
Israel
State and Defense Department officials will testify on U.S. support for Israel.
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.
