Capitol Hill Lawmakers Advance Bill To End Shutdown, Block Agency RIFs

The Senate is advancing a stopgap spending deal that could end the month-plus federal government shutdown, ensure back pay for furloughed employees and stop reductions in force (RIFs) for at least the next two months while lawmakers finalize long term fiscal year 2026 spending legislation for EPA and other agencies. Senators in a 60-40 vote Nov. 10 formally agreed to begin debate on a bipartisan compromise that contains a stopgap measure to fund the government through Jan. 30, alongside several...