Anyone paying any attention to the news knows the drama in Congress, specifically in the House of Representatives. For the first time in American history, a Speaker of the House has been removed from that position by his own party.
The Republican caucus has the majority in the House and, therefore, has the right to choose a Speaker, the top person in the legislative body. As this is written, the GOP appears to be in disarray, and they have adjourned for one week to try and figure out what to do next.
This comes as the House is far behind in passing the legislation needed to fund the federal government for the 2024 fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1. They managed to pass legislation to continue to fund the government at 2023 fiscal year levels, but that lasts only until Nov. 17. At that time, we could be facing a government shutdown once again, and the uncertainty inside the House increases those odds.
In the run-up to Oct. 1, rumors were going around about what would happen to Social Security checks and Medicare coverage in the event of a shutdown.
You need to know if the government shuts down Social Security checks and Medicare coverage will continue. Those programs are automatically funded every year and do not depend on the passage of new legislation every year.
In the meantime, TSCL urges both parties to come together, act in the public interest, and do the work they were elected to do.
