



Current funding for federal operations expires at the end of the fiscal year, which comes later this week, at midnight on Sept. 30. Unless there’s a spending agreement to keep the lights on, the government will shut down this weekend.



How likely is that to happen? The odds actually went up a little yesterday when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) brought a spending bill to the floor, knowing full well that the Democratic minority would balk. What he didn’t realize is that there’d be bipartisan opposition to his approach: McConnell’s



The sticking point, oddly enough, isn’t some heated disagreement over a culture-war dispute or money for “Obamacare,” but rather, aid for Flint, Michigan. Democrats have said they won’t support any package unless it includes Flint aid, while Republicans have pushed to deal with Flint separately, with resources that could be added to a water-projects spending bill. (Note, McConnell’s bill included money for flood relief in Louisiana and Texas, but no money for Flint.)



For those hoping to avoid a shutdown, last night brought some good news. The Washington Post Much of the political world has understandably been focused on the very competitive presidential race and this week’s highly anticipated debate. But on Capitol Hill, a different concern is drawing attention: the deadline to prevent another government shutdown is just a few days away.Current funding for federal operations expires at the end of the fiscal year, which comes later this week, at midnight on Sept. 30. Unless there’s a spending agreement to keep the lights on, the government will shut down this weekend.How likely is that to happen? The odds actually went up a little yesterday when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) brought a spending bill to the floor, knowing full well that the Democratic minority would balk. What he didn’t realize is that there’d be bipartisan opposition to his approach: McConnell’s bill failed on a 45-55 vote , with 12 Republicans joining Democrats to reject the measure, and in the process, pushing Congress just a little closer to a shutdown.The sticking point, oddly enough, isn’t some heated disagreement over a culture-war dispute or money for “Obamacare,” but rather, aid for Flint, Michigan. Democrats have said they won’t support any package unless it includes Flint aid, while Republicans have pushed to deal with Flint separately, with resources that could be added to a water-projects spending bill. (Note, McConnell’s bill included money for flood relief in Louisiana and Texas, but no money for Flint.)For those hoping to avoid a shutdown, last night brought some good news. The Washington Post reported on a deal in the House:

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi struck a deal late Tuesday to deliver federal aid to address the water crisis in Flint, Mich., potentially removing a major flashpoint in negotiations to keep the government fully operating past Friday.



Under the deal, the House will vote Wednesday on an amendment to a pending water projects bill that would authorize up to $170 million in infrastructure funds for communities like Flint whose water systems are blighted by “chemical, physical, or biological” contaminants.