Lawmakers Working to Avoid Government Shutdown

Lawmakers are working around the clock to avoid the government shutdown ahead of the deadline tonight at midnight. Funding is set to expire and Congress has yet to pass the stopgap funding bill to avert the shutdown but Democratic leaders are expected to do that later today. Lawmakers in both the Senate and House are expected to vote to approve a short-term funding patch and keep the government open. Democrats are confident that the shutdown will not occur.

Last night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that an agreement had been made to pave the way for a vote today in the chamber on a continuing resolution which will keep the government funded at current levels for a set period of time. This morning the Senate will hold several amendment votes before they vote on the continuing resolution later this afternoon. The House is expected to vote later today once it’s approved by the Senate.