How Democrats Backed Themselves Into a Shutdown

This article was featured in the One Story to Read Today newsletter. Sign up for it here. The government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. is the sixth such closure in the past three decades. It was easily the most foreseeable. That congressional Democrats would force this confrontation became clear almost from the moment they ducked a clash over spending with Republicans in March. Back then, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer convinced just enough of his members that a government shutdown would empower President Donald Trump to govern even more…

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MoveOn: Republicans Torpedo Americans’ Health Care as Shutdown Looms

Members Make Thousands of Calls to Offices to Protect Health Care WASHINGTON – As President Trump and congressional Republicans prepare to shut down the government instead of saving health care, MoveOn Civic Action Executive Director Katie Bethell released the following statement: “As the party in power, President Trump and Republicans’ priorities are clear: slashing our health care, eliminating cancer research funding, gutting Medicaid and our entire government to give away tax cuts to billionaires. The blame for this shutdown rests squarely on Trump and Republicans’ shoulders. Democrats should keep their…

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Feasibility of RIFs around a government shutdown called into question

The Trump administration is taking a more aggressive approach than usual to what would happen in a government shutdown, after a White House memo Wednesday night told agencies to plan for further reductions in force if government funding lapses early next week. But with just days left before a government shutdown, many are questioning the ability for agencies to put together further RIF plans at all, since the reduction-in-force process is typically complicated and time-consuming, often taking months or longer. The new Office of Management and Budget memo, first reported…

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MoveOn Statement on Looming Shutdown Fight

WASHINGTON – In response to President Trump cancelling plans to meet with congressional Democrats to negotiate in good faith to prevent a government shutdown, MoveOn Civic Action Executive Director Katie Bethell released the following statement: “Donald Trump and Republicans are using the government’s power to play political games, hoard power, silence enemies, and reward billionaires. They are not serious about negotiating with Democrats, and they never were. The American people cannot trust Trump and Republicans.  “Republicans want to shut the government down because they’d rather make billionaires richer than lower…

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Senate rejects competing bills to fund government, increasing risk of shutdown on Oct. 1

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected competing measures on Friday to fund federal agencies for a few weeks when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1, increasing prospects for a partial government shutdown on that date. Leaders of the two parties sought to blame the other side for the standoff. Democrats accused Republicans of not negotiating with them to address some of their priorities on health care as part of the funding measure, even though they knew Democratic votes would be needed to get a bill to the president’s…

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With a possible government shutdown looming, contractors are looking for guidance

 Interview transcript: Terry Gerton Okay, so Congress is back, but limited number of work days before the end of the FY. So with the threat of government shutdown or continuing resolution, what are you advising to your stakeholders? Stephanie Kostro So, I love that you’re bringing this up so early in September, Terry, because the end of September will get here before you know it. And as you pointed out, days in which both the House and the Senate are in session, where they can actually get things out…

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