Senate Republicans block bill to fund government, raise debt ceiling, as Congress scrambles to pass funding to avoid a government shutdown. The bill would have extended government funding to Dec. 3 and suspended the debt limit until Dec. 16, 2022, while also devoting billions to disaster aid and Afghan refugees. Without a funding extension, the federal government will shut down Friday. Ref. USAToday.
Senate Democrats reach deal with Republicans to extend debt ceiling into December. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats and Republicans reached a deal on a short-term extension of the debt ceiling into December. The Treasury Department said if Congress didn't raise the nation's limit on borrowing soon, the U.S. Would start defaulting on debts for the first time ever starting Oct. 18. Ref. USAToday.
House passes bill to raise debt ceiling into early December and avoid default. The legislation now heads to President Biden’s desk. The short-term bill allows the government to pay its bills for a few more weeks, but lawmakers will have to raise the limit again in early December to avoid the risk of the U.S. Defaulting on its debts. The Treasury Department and experts say a default could lead to a global recession and would hurt 401(K)s and other investments. Ref. USAToday.
House passes President Biden’s Build Back Better bill, sending social spending measure with free preschool and climate initiatives to Senate. By passing the House, the bill clears a major hurdle but faces uncertainty as it moves to the Senate. Biden and Democrats negotiated for months on the measure that faced resistance from moderate lawmakers who objected to the original bill’s $3.5 trillion price tag and other provisions. Source 6h.
Congress avoids shutdown after Senate passes bill to fund government into February. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill, which funds the federal government through Feb. 18. Congress faced a Friday deadline to avoid a shutdown that would have furloughed thousands of government employees and closed federally funded facilities like national parks and IRS offices. Source 1o.
Inflation hit a 39-year high last month as demand for goods stayed high amid supply-chain snarls. The consumer price index jumped 6.8% from a year earlier, the fastest pace since 1982, as prices surged for staples such as food and gasoline, as well as cars, rent and medical care. Source 4t.