Federal Government Funding Lapses

Federal funding for the regular operation of government lapsed this week as Congress was unable to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution to keep the government open. The last full-year funding measure, passed in March, expired on September 30. While the House passed a bill on September 19 to extend current funding levels through November 21, the Senate was unable to advance it, leading to the first government shutdown in nearly seven years. As of Wednesday, at midnight, most federal agencies and departments no longer have authorization to spend funds on non-critical functions. Shutdown procedures are now in place which sees hundreds of thousands of federal workers being sent home on furlough, while essential employees and those whose duties are funded by other means will continue working. However, almost no federal workers will receive pay until Congress passes a funding bill, though all will receive back pay when the shutdown ends. The last shutdown in 2018 lasted 34 days, but work is ongoing in Congress now to reopen the government. I spoke with Marianas Press this week discussing the shut down, and the impacts on the Marianas and my hopes that we can all come together and get back to the business of serving the people.