Budget

The reason for the new shutdown decision deadline is that lawmakers have not approved appropriations to keep all federal agencies operating after Oct. 1.

With the budget ball in the president’s court, Congress is taking a little time off — not that there’s nothing to do.

President Donald Trump Friday evening signed the seven-week continuing resolution into law, delaying fears of another government shutdown until Nov. 21.

The Army cut $25 billion in old weapons over the next five years to reinvest into modernization, but Congress is miffed that its ability to weigh in on programs is limited.

The Senate has confirmed Eugene Scalia, son for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, to serve as the next Secretary of Labor.

The Senate on Thursday cleared a seven-week continuing resolution through Nov. 21. The CR includes nearly $50 million more for the Office of Personnel Management, which faces a funding gap with the transfer.

The seven-week continuing resolution gives lawmakers through Nov. 21 to complete spending bills for the rest of 2020. Notably, the CR includes additional funding for the Office of Personnel Management, which faces a budget shortfall at the start of the new fiscal year.

The latest budget proposal from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government made no mention of a federal pay raise in 2020, setting up a debate over whether civilian employees will receive a House-passed 3.1% or the president’s recommended 2.6% increase next year.

Congress seems to be working hard to avoid a lapse in appropriations when the fiscal year ends in a couple of weeks. But anything can happen.

For what to expect this week, Bloomberg Government Editorial Director Loren Duggan joined Federal Drive with Tom Temin.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s independent watchdog has cleared Secretary Ben Carson of any misconduct in connection with the order of a dining room set for his office.

The Senate defense appropriations bill give DoD more than $100 billion in research and development spending.

In today’s Federal Newscast, the White House says it’s considering a new approach to helping agencies adopt artificial intelligence.

For more now details, The Fulcrum editor in chief David Hawkings joined Federal Drive with Tom Temin.