Government Closure Update
The following is from the ACCT’s Latest Action in Washington update, which you can find and subscribe to here: Latest Action in Washington
After 42 full days of the government shutdown, the longest in American history, today the House voted on the Senate's negotiated Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen the government.
Here are some highlights of this CR:
Funds the government at fiscal year 2025's levels through January 30, 2026, except for departments covered by the Military construction and Veterans’ Affairs, Agriculture, and the Legislative Branch appropriations bills, which would be funded through September 30, 2026.
Funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September 30, 2026
Prevents the Trump administration from conducting reductions in force (RIFs) before January 30, 2026
A major point of contention was the permanent extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. While the new CR does not feature this provision, Senate Democrats were guaranteed a vote on this matter by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD).
Even though the federal government was inoperational, except for essential activities, these 42 days of the government shutdown created:
Funding disruptions to Head Start programs
SNAP recipients were left without benefits
Nearly 500 federal workers were RIFed by the Trump administration, which a federal court temporarily blocked
Agencies were left with skeleton crews, making access to technical assistance and information from grant officers difficult
The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), the Department of Education's accreditation advisory committee, has not met, causing some accrediting bodies to be unable to prove compliance to the committee by their deadline, risking their recognition.
For additional information visit ACCT Now, the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges from a national perspective.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own and do not reflect the official policy, position, or views of Palomar College, the Palomar College Board, or any other affiliated organization. All content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as representing the views of Palomar College or its governing board.
