WASHINGTON—Will the federal government shut down again?
NAFCU is predicting it won’t. Congress has through the end of the week to agree on a federal government spending plan in order to prevent a government shutdown that would disrupt military operations, government benefit systems and pay for hundreds of thousands of federal government workers.
“We still expect Congress to act in a timely manner to prevent a government shutdown,” said NAFCU Vice President of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler. “However, the threat does loom with a lot of politics in play ahead of the November elections.”
NAFCU noted that this is likely to be Congress’ last week in session before they break for the month of October to prepare for the Nov. 8 elections. “Congress is debating what to include in the stopgap funding bill, as issues such as the water crisis in Flint, Mich., over lead content and efforts to fight the Zika virus in the U.S. still need resolved,” the trade association said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has put forth a continuing resolution that keeps government funded through Dec. 9. It includes funding for flood relief to states such as Maryland, Texas, West Virginia and Louisiana, plus $1.1 billion to help stop the spread of the Zika virus, NAFCU said.