Shutdown poised to drag into next week as layoff threat looms

"altogether. All but three Democrats rejected a continuing resolution to reopen agencies, denying the legislation the 60 votes required for its passage. Neither chamber is expected to hold votes over the weekend, meaning Monday is the earliest lawmakers could vote to end the shutdown. The two sides remain divided, however, and no clear path toward resolving the impasse has emerged."

"The prospect of a longer shutdown will likely lead to more federal employees being sent home on furlough. Some agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, have kept all or most of their employees working using alternative funds to annual appropriations, but have said those would run dry after five days. The Trump administration initially furloughed around 550,000 employees, but that number will climb significantly if the shutdown continues into next week and beyond."

The Senate rejected a continuing resolution for the fourth time, leaving agencies unfunded through Nov. 21 and keeping hundreds of thousands of employees at home or at risk of job loss. Most Democrats opposed the measure, denying the 60 votes needed for passage. No votes are expected until Monday at the earliest, and lawmakers remain divided with no clear path to resolution. A prolonged shutdown will expand furloughs; some agencies, including the IRS, are using alternative funds that will run out after about five days. The White House has signaled potential permanent cuts and is coordinating with agencies; only the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has implemented small layoffs so far.

Read at Nextgov.com