Lawmakers in Washington are bracing for a critical evening as the Senate reconvenes to deliberate on measures aimed at reopening the government, which has been partially shut down for nearly six days. Senators are expected to vote on two competing continuing resolutions, both of which have previously failed to garner enough support.
In a strategic move, the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), has been advised to remain in recess for the week, a tactic intended to exert pressure on the Senate to reach an agreement.
While Congress grapples with budgetary disputes, the Supreme Court is set to start its October 2025 term on Monday, eager to tackle significant cases. Notably, the court will hear “Chiles v. Salazar” on Tuesday, which questions whether Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy infringes on free speech rights. The following day, the court will address “Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections,” concerning the state’s policy of counting mail-in ballots that are postmarked by election day but arrive within the subsequent two weeks.
Additionally, there is a developing situation regarding the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. The White House authorized 300 personnel to be sent to Illinois to enhance security, following a similar deployment in Portland, Oregon. However, a federal judge’s recent ruling has temporarily blocked that action, creating uncertainty around the timeline for troop arrival in either city.
As the political landscape continues to unfold, the nation watches closely, hoping for swift resolution and action from lawmakers.