Partial Government Shutdown Ends

Last week, the President and Congressional Leadership agreed to a short term spending bill to open the shutdown parts of the federal government through February 15th, including back pay for government employees. The bill does not include disaster funding, which would help reforest areas impacted by hurricanes. Hill staff has signaled that the disaster funding will likely be included in a larger omnibus appropriations bill to keep the government open for the remainder of fiscal year 2019.