On Friday, the House passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government on a temporary basis at current funding levels through November 21 as they continue to work on final funding levels for education and disability support programs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. While the bill does include a number of expiring programs in health, defense, and other sectors -which were sought by Republicans and Democrats alike, it does not include an extension of enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance which are set to expire at the end of the year, nor does it place limits on the Administration’s ability to withhold other funds, including for education, which are top priorities for Democrats in Congress. On the heels of the House bill passing, the Senate considered two competing CRs- the Republican-sponsored bill that passed in the House, and a Democrat-sponsored bill that includes an extension of the expiring ACA subsidies. As expected, both failed to get the requisite 60 votes needed to advance. If Congress cannot agree to a single bill by October 1, a government shutdown of all federal discretionary programs will be triggered. The House, which was previously scheduled to be in session on September 29 and 30, has now cancelled those workdays in hopes of forcing Senate Democrats to get behind the House CR. Senate Democrats, however, have taken a united stance, and today, an announcement was made that President Trump will meet with leaders of that party. With 8 days left until the end of the fiscal year, there is still time for lawmakers to decide their next moves.