Today is Day 22 of the federal government shutdown.
Hill Updates
This shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. history, and there is still no solution in sight. As Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) says, neither party sees an incentive in reaching a compromise. "Both sides think there is political advantage in sticking with the positions that they have."
The House is still on recess, and the Senate continues to bring the House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen the government to the floor for a vote daily. Today, the Senate is expected to vote on the measure for the 12th time. The bill is not expected to pass.
Currently, there are no top-level negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House. Senate Leader Schumer (D-NY) and House Leader Jeffries (D-NY) requested a meeting with the President to jumpstart negotiations on extending the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, but the request was denied; President Trump says he will meet with Democrats, but only after the government is reopened. In addition, 13 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Johnson (R-LA), urging Congress to reach a deal to extend and reform the healthcare tax credits after the government reopens.
Members of Congress are growing frustrated. Some Senate Republicans have suggested changing the filibuster rules to reduce the number of votes needed to reopen the government, despite Senate Leader Thune (R-SD)'s opposition. Both parties are working on separate, competing bills to continue pay for certain federal workers.
Impacts
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The National WIC Association warns that emergency funds are set to run out by the end of October. States have started furloughing clinic employees and waitlisting applicants. Other states are preparing to close clinics offering nutritional and health care services and block families from using their benefits for two to four days before Nov. 1 to ensure that funding accounts are not overdrawn. Nearly 7 million low-income pregnant women, mothers, infants and children rely on WIC for nutritious foods, infant formula and health services.
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The National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), representing state directors of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is urging electric and gas utilities across the nation to immediately suspend service disconnections for nonpayment until the government is reopened and LIHEAP funds can be distributed.
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If the shutdown continues past November 1, 140 Headstart programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico, serving more than 65,000 children, will be forced to draw on emergency local resources to stay open.
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Some state agencies say they may not have the funds to reimburse schools providing free and low-cost meals. USDA released funds to regional offices for meals served in October, but some states report they have yet to receive any money.
Take Action
The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.
You can take action:
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Share Your Story Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
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Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.