Congress has less than three days to avoid a government shutdown.

September 29, 2023

This page will continue to be updated as this issue is ongoing.

Update Oct. 02, 2023: On Saturday, September 30, the House voted 335-91 to pass a 45-day funding bill. President Joe Biden signed the bill mere hours before the midnight deadline, keeping the government open through November 17.

The Capitol Building against a backgound of 50 dollar bills.

Congress has until Saturday night to pass legislation to prevent the looming government shutdown. On Thursday, Sept. 28, Senate voted 76-22 to open debate on a continuing resolution that would extend federal spending through November 17. However, many Republicans remain against the bill and are demanding deep budget cuts for any settlement. The GOP wants to cut Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which would drive up prices and strip healthcare from millions of Americans.

The current Republican budget proposal removes:

  • Medicare’s power to negotiate lower prices for the most expensive prescription drugs.
  • Premium savings for 14.3 million Americans who buy insurance on their own — averaging $2,400 per family.
  • Medicaid for millions of Americans including people with disabilities, new mothers, and children who can’t meet the bureaucratic paperwork burdens imposed by a work requirement.
  • Nearly $4 billion in funding for research on cancer, Alzheimers, and long COVID.
  • Over $500 million in savings under the Affordable Care Act.

Lawmakers have until 12:01a.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 01 to pass short-term funding legislation to prevent the government shutdown.