WEEKLY POINTS

This week’s guide to government and politics in under 10 minutes

I CONGRESS PUSHES TO AVOID A SHUTDOWN

Congress will be working on preventing a government shutdown as it comes back from August recess. The last day of the government’s fiscal year is September 30. The federal government will shut down unless Congress passes a budget or another measure to authorize funding, like a continuing resolution. A short-term spending measure is the most likely scenario. Congressional Democrats argue that President Trump’s rescission measures clawing back previously-approved spending will make reaching bipartisan compromises to avoid a shutdown difficult, as they cannot be confident that any funding compromises will be implemented.

>> Watch a perspective on using continuing resolutions to prevent shutdowns here.

I CALLS FOR GUN REFORM IN MINNESOTA

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) is considering calling a special session of the state legislature this fall focusing on gun reform. The possible special session was prompted by a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, where a shooter killed two children and injured 21 others while they attended a morning mass on Wednesday, August 27. Under Minnesota law, only the governor can call a special session, but the state legislature can determine how long the session is. The Minnesota legislature has approved gun control policies in the last few years, including a red flag law and expanded background checks. It is not clear what policies the legislature would consider if Walz chooses to call the special session.

>> See Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Governor Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) debate the constitutionality of gun control laws here.

I CDC LEADERSHIP SHAKEUP

Nine former directors of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning about increased threats to public health yesterday. The former CDC directors argue the administration’s current path will undermine public health programs by cancelling important medical research and putting people with unscientific views in positions of authority. The Trump administration fired former CDC director Susan Monarez last month after she refused to quit. The White House said that she was “not aligned” with the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, including refusing to sign off on changes to vaccines and vaccine scheduling for children favored by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his advisors. Several top CDC officials resigned after Monarez was fired. The administration said that it is “helping the agency earn back the trust it had squandered” with the firings.

>> Explore how states are approaching vaccine requirements for schools here.

I STAFFING THE FEDERAL RESERVE

The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on confirming Stephen Miran to a seat on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors this week. The hearing comes as the Trump administration is waging a court fight to remove Governor Lisa Cook from the nation’s central bank. The administration argues that Cook lied on mortgage applications and said that is “sufficient cause” to remove her from the board. Cook is challenging her firing, arguing it violates the Federal Reserve Act, which states that the president can only remove a member of the Board of Governors “for cause.” A federal judge heard arguments from Cook and the administration on Friday but did not immediately issue a decision. Cook has not been charged with any crimes.

>> Understand the role the federal reserve plays in shaping the economy here.

I SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE ON FOREIGN AID SPENDING

The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to rule by today on its request to stop a lower court order requiring it to spend foreign aid funds previously appropriated by Congress. The administration filed its emergency request with the Supreme Court last week. The case in question involves a group of aid contractors challenging President Trump’s decision to withhold the funds. The contractors argue that the move is illegal under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. The administration argues that the contracts have no standing to challenge the decision and no legal basis to force the spending.

>> Hear Representative Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) discuss how checks and balances relate to foreign aid spending here.

TALKING POINTS

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