Shuttered

Uncle Sam hung up the closed sign overnight, shutting down for the first time since 2018 after Congress failed to agree on the country’s budget.* 

The dividing issue? Healthcare spending. 

Democrats want to extend expiring healthcare provisions for low-income individuals. Republicans want a “clean” continuing resolution without healthcare extensions—a measure House Minority Leader Jeffries (D-NY) argued would “assault and gut healthcare for Americans.” House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) said Dems’ efforts to add on to a funding bill are forcing a shutdown over “unrelated policies.” 

It came down to two eleventh-hour Senate votes, both of which fell short.  

Several federal agencies have braced for the shuttering with shutdown plans. Now, with “nonessential” employees and agencies clocked out, the Senate will reconvene this morning to vote on three options to get the lights back on. 

*Want to learn a little more about the ins and outs of government shutdowns? Check out the shallow dive we took recently.

PRAY WITH US
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of political stalemates. Today and this week, there’s something “powerful and effective” you can do: pray for your leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 5:16).

God, our Governor and Lawgiver, these lawmakers are only in their seats on your appointment. Would you straighten their steering to lead us from trouble? Would you make them wise in their management, humble in their discussions, and clever in their compromises so that they might promote the peace and prosperity of all? May their management effect the common good, for your glory. Amen.