Insights

Today on the Hill: Government Shutdown Enters 14th Day as 116th Congress Gets to Work

January 4, 2019

Congressional lawmakers are expressing pessimism about reaching a solution to end the partial government shutdown as the funding lapse enters its second week. Yesterday, House Democrats — joined by a handful of Republicans — passed a pair of measures that would end the partial government shutdown without providing additional funding for President Trump's proposed border wall. Congressional leaders will head to the White House today for a second meeting this week with the president, who formally issued a veto threat to the House-passed package. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) stated yesterday that the shutdown could last for months if Congress cannot reach a deal that President Trump approves.

On the floor, the lower chamber will resume consideration of the House Democrats comprehensive rules package (text; section-by-section). The package includes provisions such as the “pay-as-you-go” (PAYGO) rules that require new spending to be paid for with new taxes or offset with cuts elsewhere in the budget, as well as automatically raising the debt ceiling when the House votes on an annual budget resolution. House Democrats also propose creating a new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, as well as a panel that seeks to modernize the way the House functions.