short-term

The U.S. Capitol.

A ‘disaster’ nears: Millions of federal workers’ paychecks would be on hold in a shutdown

BY: - September 20, 2023

Updated Sept. 21, 2023, at 11:10 a.m. to include number of civilian federal employees in Arkansas.  WASHINGTON — More than 3.5 million federal employees and military personnel — many in the Washington, D.C., area but also scattered across the states and around the globe — are bracing for another partial government shutdown, as U.S. House […]

Filling Medical Form, document, stethoscope

Biden administration to crack down on ‘junk’ health insurance plans, surprise billing 

BY: - July 7, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced new initiatives Friday that could reduce health care costs, though none will take effect immediately. The changes include a proposed rule that would reduce the amount of time short-term health insurance plans can last and require companies that offer the plans to be more transparent about what is covered […]

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (right) and Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton were among nine GOP senators who voted Dec. 15, 2022, for a one-week spending bill to keep the government running and give negotiators more time to wrap up legislation that would fund the government through the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Congress clears one-week bill to fund the government, but many hurdles remain

BY: - December 16, 2022

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate sent President Joe Biden a one-week government funding bill late Thursday, giving negotiators a few more days to wrap up talks on what is expected to be a $1.7 trillion package to keep the federal government up and running through September.  The short-term bill is the second time Congress has […]

House Minority Leader speaks Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks with House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) during a press conference on the 2023 Fiscal Year at the U.S Capitol on Dec. 14, 2022. During the news conference, House Republicans called on Congress to vote on a short-term spending bill for the government, which would allow them to pass further funding in the 118th Congress when Republicans hold the majority. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

U.S. House and Senate GOP at odds over massive government spending deal

BY: - December 14, 2022

WASHINGTON — Congress is trying to wrap up its remaining must-pass bills before leaving for the holidays — but a split between Senate Republican and House GOP leaders could hamstring the all-important task of funding government operations and averting a partial shutdown. Senate Republicans are working with Democrats in both chambers to negotiate a major […]