Government Shutdown Day 16 Update -- National Council of Nonprofits

The Senate voted again for the 10^th time today on a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen and fund the govenment through Nov. 21. And for the 10^th time, the measure failed. Does it feel like Groundhog Day yet?

 

In a change of strategy, Senate Republicans attempted to bring a full-year Defense spending bill to the floor for a vote this afternoon, in hopes to peel off some Democrats. Democrats defeated the measure, arguing that they won't vote to enact one spending bill without a clearer understanding and agreement about how the whole government will be funded. 

 

After today's votes, the Senate has adjourned until Monday afternoon, guaranteeing that the federal government will be closed for at least 20 days.

 

In a positive move, Senate Leader Thune (R-SD) offered Democrats to guarantee a vote on legislation to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, if Democrats agree to vote in favor of a CR to reopen the government. Thune continues to insist, however, that Republicans will not negotiate on the substance of any extension of the tax credits, which are set to expire this year, until the government is reopened. 

 

Democrats, meanwhile, want greater assurances that the tax credits will be extended (as opposed to only getting assurances that a vote will be held). Moderate Republican Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) said she understands Democrats' lack of trust in these negotiations, pointing to the Trump administration’s past use of “pocket rescissions” to claw back billions in government funding that had already been approved by Congress.

 

A recent poll found that Americans blame Republicans and Democrats roughly equally for the shutdown. Fifty-eight of Americans surveyed said both Republicans in Congress and Trump are responsible for the shutdown, while 54 percent said Democrats in Congress are responsible. Those numbers split along party lines - which explains why both sides are so dug in.

 

After Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought threatened to fire as many as 10,000 federal employees, a federal court judge issued a temporary restraining order last night preventing the Administration from moving forward with these plans.

 

 

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:

• 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.
• 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.