Uncertainty over a potential government shutdown is rising after the Senate last Friday Sept. 19 rejected a House-passed stopgap funding bill that also included spending flexibility for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s weapons activities.
After the House earlier in the day narrowly approved a GOP-led continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open through Nov. 21 with a 217 to 212 vote, the measure failed to reach the 60 votes required for passage in the upper chamber.
The House has also been out of session until September 29, just two days before the government shutdown deadline when the government will run out of money.
The Washington Post and other media outlets have reported Thursday that the White House and the Office of Management and Budget could institute widespread federal layoffs if a CR does not pass by Oct. 1.
Exchange Monitor affiliate Defense Daily first published a version of this story.