12:30 REPORT
Happy Wednesday. Capitol Hill feels a bit giddy today, with lawmakers expected to leave soon to campaign in the final weeks leading up to the election. October is the new August, apparently! Here’s what’s happening today:
The House and Senate are both expected to pass a funding extension.Harris is sitting down with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle for an interview.Hurricane Helene is barreling toward Florida. Today is the new National Lobster Day! You can thank Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King for that.I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
💰 In Congress
Maybe this one will do the trick:
After weeks of dramatic speculation over how the government would be funded after Sept. 30, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) backed off his partisan funding plan. Now, the House and Senate are expected to pass a clean extension today.
The order of events: The House is expected to vote midafternoon to fund the government through mid-December. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Senate will also vote on the proposal this afternoon. He said he will not entertain any amendments that could delay the process.
💡Why Johnson backed off: Up until a few days ago, Johnson was adamant that he would push through a more partisan government funding plan that included a Trump-backed voting proposal — one that Democrats would never be on board with. He didn’t have enough votes, and the politics of a shutdown are atrocious for Republicans less than six weeks from Election Day.
What’s hanging over everyone’s heads: Hurricane Helene is brewing and is expected to intensify into a major hurricane later today, potentially hitting Florida tomorrow. That could impact travel for lawmakers. Keep scrolling for more on the storm.
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