Updates from NCN as of 10/15 (day 15 of the shutdown):
After eight failed votes to reopen the government, Senate Leader Thune (R-SD) is changing strategies to increase pressure on Democrats. On Thursday, the Senate will vote on the House-passed Defense spending bill. If Democrats vote in support of the bill, it could undermine their leverage in negotiations over reopening the government and extending the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire this year. The move could split Democrats, who have largely remained unified in their approach so far.
At the same time, Republican leaders are working to advance a “minibus,” a package of full-year appropriations bills for some spending areas, including Agriculture/Food and Drug Administration (Ag), Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (MILCON-VA), and the Legislative Branch. A full-year spending bill for Transportation – Housing and Urban Development (THUD) could be added as well.
To maximize pressure on Democrats, President Trump said he will announce on Friday a new recission package should the government shutdown drag on. According to the President, “We’re closing up programs that are Democrat programs that we were opposed to,” including “the most egregious, socialist, semi communist, probably not full communist” programs. The recission package will likely be pre-negotiated with congressional Republicans to ensure enough support for enactment. One big question is whether the recission package will include cuts beyond programs at the U.S. Department of Education and foreign aid – which have been the targets of the past two recission packages passed by Congress. The Senate can enact a recission package with only 50 votes, allowing Republicans to rescind federal funds without Democratic input.
Today, a federal court will hear arguments on litigation brought by labor unions representing federal workers against the Trump Administration for its mass layoffs during the shutdown. The plaintiffs allege that there is no statutory basis for layoffs, and they are asking for a temporary restraining order. The Administration says that it might lay off as many as 10,000 federal employees.
Impacts
Many policymakers believed that October 15 would have been a major pressure point for negotiations. This is the date when active-duty military members were set to miss their first paycheck. Now that the Trump Administration has shifted funding around to ensure military members are paid, however, experts warn the shutdown could drag on for weeks more.
While things could change at any time, D.C. insiders expect the shutdown could continue through October, possibly into November.
If the shutdown continues:
- October 17 – many federal courts could be forced to close;
- October 20 – Senate staff will miss their paychecks (don’t worry – Senators will still be paid on time!);
- October 24 – many federal workers will miss their paychecks for work done this month; and
- October 31 – military members will miss their paycheck (although the Administration has shifted funds to make their October 15 paychecks).
- November 1 – the Administration says they have shifted money to keep WIC and SNAP funded, but there may still be a disruption of services.
Layoffs:
Last Friday, the White House laid off 1,000s of federal workers, as part of their effort to maximize pressure on Democrats. Now, the White House is warning that there will be more layoffs, if the shutdown continues.
Some agencies most impacted include:
- Treasury – 1,446 workers laid off, including those in the Large Business and International (LB&I) Division, which handles tax administration for domestic and foreign corporations, as well as in the Information Technology Division and the Office of Privacy, Governmental Liaison and Disclosure (PGLD).
- Health and Human Services – 600 workers laid off, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Education – 466 workers laid off, including nearly all of its staff at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).
- Housing and Urban Development – 442 workers laid off, including those in the Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), which oversees grants to support low-income communities, and housing and homelessness programs.
- Commerce – 315 workers laid off.
- Energy – 187 workers laid off, many in the Office of Minority Economic Impact.
- Homeland Security – 176 workers laid off, including those at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
- EPA – including those at the Office of Land and Emergency Management.
NCN created a chart with key information about the contingency plans for each federal agency. This resource provides nonprofits with key information about which agency functions are closed during the shutdown and which will remain open. It also includes information on the number of furloughed employees at each agency, and links to more resources.
Take Action:
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:
- 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.
- 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.