White House to brace government agencies for possible shutdown


The White House budget office will tell federal agencies on Thursday to begin preparing for a government shutdown, the first since the pandemic began, The Washington Post reports.
Luckily, however, lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to reach a funding agreement, and administration officials insist the budget office's "request is in line with traditional procedures seven days ahead of a shutdown and not a commentary on the likelihood of a congressional deal," writes the Post.
Abdullah Hasan, a spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget, said "we fully expect" Congress to avoid a shutdown, but "prudent management requires that the government plan for the possibility of a lapse in funding."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Still, considering an agreement has not been reached, the OMB will tell federal agencies to "review and revise" their emergency shutdown plans. The funding plan approved by House Democrats earlier this week is "expected to die in the Senate amid GOP refusal to support Democratic attempts to life the debt ceiling," writes the Post.
Notably, a shutdown during the ongoing pandemic would add "unbelievable complications to our ability to recover," noted Bill Hoagland, a senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Added Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee: "We're looking at all the options, but a government shutdown is not acceptable." Read more at The Washington Post.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Japan poised to get first woman prime minister
Speed Read The ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi
-
Israel and Hamas meet on hostages, Trump’s plan
Speed Read Hamas accepted the general terms of Trump’s 20-point plan, including the release of all remaining hostages
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sites
Speed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Moldova gives decisive win to pro-EU party
Speed Read The country is now on track to join the European Union within five years
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
UK, 3 Western allies recognize Palestinian state
Speed Read Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the state of Palestine