A Job for Grownups
On Capitol Hill, people get mighty proficient at ignoring the gray areas to hammer out black-or-white arguments — especially when time is short and stakes are high.
Exactly two weeks from the start of fiscal 2026, one challenge is to figure out whether leaders who understand the grays will get together to avoid a federal shutdown. Alternatively, a critical number of politicians could decide it’s in their best interest to stay firm because that’s what next year’s most passionate voters want.
Though we can’t tell you how that’ll play out, we can share the text of the House Republicans’ stopgap measure (
- GOP leaders haven’t yet shown how they’ll bring along annoyed members in their own conference who object to their continuing resolution to keep federal operations rolling until the Friday before Thanksgiving. “I just won’t vote for a holiday CR,” said Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), “because that’s going to be jamming us with a bunch of garbage.”
- The majority’s leadership is trying to convey that they’re the adults. “Right now, we’ve got to keep the government open,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.).
- Democrats are convinced that expiring Obamacare subsidies and the real possibility that millions could have to pay more for health insurance is what they need to emphasize. They’ll release their own CR and try to keep their messaging focused on pricing shock. Democrats “will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of the American people,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
You’ll find more details in this morning’s editions of BGOV Budget and Congress Tracker.
See Also:
- Obamacare Premium Spike Warning Drives Democrats’ Extension Push
- GOP Stopgap Boosts Security for Federal Officials, Makes DC Fix
- House CR’s $30 Million for Member Safety Previews Bigger Debate
- Extra Food Aid for Women, Children Extended in GOP Stopgap Bill
What Will Cassidy Say?
The chairman of the Senate HELP Committee gave Washington plenty to read between the lines when he invited the fired head of the CDC to publicly discuss how she was treated by HHS leadership — without inviting an administration rebuttal witness.
Today Washington will pay attention to what Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician and opinion-driver on health policy in the Senate, articulates at that hearing.
In her prepared text, ex-director Susan Monarez says HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanded that she commit in advance to approving every recommendation made by his hand-picked vaccine advisers “regardless of the scientific evidence.”
After our colleagues reported on that statement, HHS said Monarez “acted maliciously,” and “when she refused to acknowledge her insubordination, the White House fired her.” Their grievances against her included “neglecting to implement President [Donald] Trump’s executive orders, making policy decisions without the knowledge or consent of Secretary Kennedy or the White House, limiting badge access for Trump’s political appointees, and removing a Secretarial appointee without consulting anyone.”
Following the Money
Add overseas infrastructure to the uses of government funds that the Trump administration is working to take in a different direction.
Mica Soellner reports exclusively that White House officials met this week with Republican members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss changes to the US International Development Finance Corporation, which provides loans for development projects in mostly lower-income nations.
They aspire to enable the DFC to work with wealthier nations and perhaps invest in resources like critical minerals. Enhancing the agency’s scope could also become a pathway for Trump to create a sovereign wealth fund. Read More
Lower Interest Rates
Economists, business leaders, investors, mortgage aspirants — pretty much anybody with an interest in interest rates has a reason to watch what the Fed does this afternoon and what its chair, Jerome Powell, says about what’s ahead.
The Fed is widely expected to lower a key benchmark rate as their meeting concludes today. To look around the corner at what might happen next, they’ll also offer updated projections and carefully chosen words at a press conference. Listen for indications about how long they might wait before doing another rate cut and what their expectations are for inflation.
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News largely expect one more cut this year.
See Also: Fed Rate Cut to Mark Pivot Toward Job Market: Decision-Day Guide
Trump in England
Trump’s state visit to the UK is about to get under way, with the promise of deals and diplomacy jostling with the constant threat of global and domestic tension intruding on the royal fanfare.
The Trumps will be greeted by King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Catherine with a royal salute fired to kick off the day’s festivities. From there, they are set to take part in a carriage procession and witness a military display, including a flyover, before a white-tie evening banquet that will feature speeches from Trump and the king. Read More
Microsoft, OpenAI, and other American companies plan to spend more than $42 billion in the UK on AI systems, quantum computing initiatives, and other tech projects, part of a series of business deals that coincide with Trump’s visit.
The announcements bolster an effort by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen ties with the US and boost technology growth. Joining Trump on the visit are several Silicon Valley luminaries, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Sam Altman from OpenAI. Read More
Also Read: Trump Flight to London Has Close Encounter With Spirit Jet
Before You Go
Going Around Washington: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers have a $1 billion-a-year plan to get high-speed rail on track without having to rely on federal money. Andrew Oxford reports that the funding deal for the long-delayed project came together after the Trump administration terminated $4 billion in unspent federal funds. Read More
FEMA Funds: The Government Accountability Office has determined that DHS defied the Impoundment Control Act by halting payouts under two FEMA grant programs designed to address homelessness and defray the costs of housing and caring for migrants who recently arrived in the US. In response, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called that conclusion “nothing more than nitpicking a technicality to try to make FEMA look bad,” Ellen M. Gilmer reports. Read More
First Amendment Exercise: Former federal judges are taking advantage of Constitution Day to speak out against threats against sitting judges. “Misinformation, disinformation, and fiery rhetoric distort public understanding of the judiciary’s critical role in maintaining our democracy,” a letter today from 42 former judges appointed by presidents of both parties reads. Read More
India Call: Trump said he spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a move that offers to ease tensions between the two major economies amid a fight over tariffs and New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil. The call comes as the two nations held trade discussions both sides characterized as positive. Last month, Trump levied 50% tariffs on Indian products entering the US. Read More
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