Government Shutdown - Day 7 October 8th, 2013

Congress returned earlier this evening but did NOT consider a continuing resolution. 

There are also no formal talks taking place at this time between Rs and Ds.

Congressional Quarterly reports that House Democrats are trying to force Speaker John A. Boehner to hold a vote on a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government through a discharge petition, but Republicans say it will not work.

Democratic Reps. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, George Miller of California and Nita M. Lowey of New York introduced the discharge petition Oct. 4 and noted today that if the House remains in session members could start signing it Oct. 12.

But three Republicans who support a clean version of the House-passed continuing resolution (H J Res 59) say they will not sign the discharge petition, which needs 218 votes to force House action.

GOP Reps. Peter T. King of New York, Devin Nunes of California and Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania have all said they will not support the effort.

 “My hope is that we will be able to resolve this situation prior to October 14, which I believe would be the earliest you could deal with that discharge petition,” Dent added. “Although I believe you probably couldn’t deal with it until October 28th for all practical purposes.”

It was unclear how many in the GOP would actually sign the petition, but more than 20 moderate Republicans have been quietly discussing possible  support for a clean CR.

The GOP-led House has passed a number of narrowly-tailored stopgap spending bills that would restore funding for an assortment of federal government programs, including the National Institutes of Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

On the Senate side -  Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) stated that it would be “premature” to move on a standalone guarantee of back pay for federal workers without addressing other elements of the government shutdown.  (On Saturday the House unanimously passed a bill allowing for retroactive pay for furloughed federal employees.  This must also be approved by the Senate.)

Majority Leader Harry Reid is preparing to move ahead this week on legislation to raise the nation's debt ceiling and is expected to file a bill shortly on a "clean" debt-limit increase.

While some Congressional hearings are still scheduled for this week, a  number of House and Senate staff have been sent home because they are considered “non-essential” employees.   Many White House staffers have also not been allowed to return to work.  Federal workers are also not allowed to use their official work email and agency websites are not being updated.