10.27.2025 - DC Download

Oct 27

As the Senate prepares to vote on three tariff-related bills to disapprove of Trump’s emergency declarations on foreign imports, the government shutdown’s economic and human toll is deepening. All the while, House Speaker Mike Johnson continues to keep GOP lawmakers away from DC—and away from any talks that could end this stalemate. Read on for more of what’s happening this week.

Progressive Playbook

On Saturday, November 15, the Progressive Caucus Action Fund is rolling into Michigan for a high-energy stop on the Progress for the People Town Hall series — a surge of community power pushing back against devastating GOP policies.

This is our moment to grow a people-powered movement for justice, equity, and real accountability — no sidelines, no spectators. Just all of us, together.

Join us to learn about the impact Republican policies have had on communities like ours. National progressive leaders will join local advocates and union members in Warren, Michigan for a community town hall highlighting the impacts of the government shutdown and recently passed Republican budget law — and presenting a more just, equitable vision for the nation.

RSVP HERE.

Senate

Floor Action

The Senate has teed up votes this week on the following tariff-related resolutions:

S.J. Res 77- This resolution calls for the termination of the Trump administration’s national emergency declaration that authorized tariffs on Canadian imports.

S.J. Res 81- This resolution calls for the termination of the Trump administration’s national emergency declaration that authorized tariffs on Brazil.

S.J Res 88- This resolution seeks to end the broad national emergency declaration used to impose tariffs on imports across multiple nations.

Nominations

The Senate this week has teed up final votes to advance the following nominees:

Rebecca Taibleson, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit

Bill Lewis, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama

Senate Committee Highlights

Tuesday Hearings

Hearing to consider various nominations (Armed Services)

Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding (Commerce, Science & Transportation)

Pressure Cooker: Competition Issues in the Seed & Fertilizer Industries (Judiciary)

Politically Violent Attacks: A Threat to Our Constitutional Order (Judiciary)

Wednesday Hearings

Part II of Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans (Commerce, Science & Transportation)

Hearing to Examine the Section 106 Consultation Process Under the National Historic Preservation Act (Energy & Natural Resources)

Hearing to consider various nominations (Finance)

The Future of Biotech: Maintaining U.S. Competitiveness and Delivering Lifesaving Cures to Patients (Health, Education, Labor & Pensions)

Impacts of Government Shutdowns and Agency Reductions in Force on Native Communities (Indian Affairs)

Hearing to consider various nominations (Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry)

Putting Veterans First: Is the Current VA Disability System Keeping Its Promise? (Veterans’ Affairs)

Thursday Hearings

Hearing to consider the nomination of Vice Admiral Richard A. Correll, USN, to be admiral and Commander of the U.S Strategic Command (Armed Services)

Markup to consider various judicial nominations and legislation (Judiciary)

Nomination of Casey Means to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and Surgeon General of the Public Health Service (health, Education, Labor & Pensions)

Issues to Watch

Shutdown Showdown

On November 1, millions of Americans may be caught in a heightened wave of economic uncertainty as the government shutdown continues. Without new funding, programs like SNAP and WIC—lifelines for 42 million low-income families and 7 million pregnant women and young children—are on the verge of collapse, with states unable to continue sending families benefits. Some states are warning that school meal programs for low-income children could also run out of money, threatening access to food security across the country. Moreover, more than 1 million federal workers have already missed a paycheck, increasing the pressure for lawmakers to reach a deal.

Meanwhile, the administration is signaling whose needs it's willing to meet, and whose it's willing to ignore. Earlier this month, the administration directed $300 million in unused tariff revenue to fund WIC (though this funding is anticipated to run out by Nov. 1), redirected $3 billion in existing aid to assist farmers, and last week, accepted a private donation to partially pay the military (roughly $100 per servicemember).

Yet the administration continues to withhold SNAP’s contingency fund, in part claiming it’s only for “disasters,” a move that Ranking Democrats have called illegal and one that undercuts the urgency and dire circumstances of this moment.

To make matters worse, open enrollment for Americans on ACA health insurance plans begins the same day, and this year, many families will see higher premiums due to GOP unwillingness to afford families relief from rising costs. This comes just months after House and Senate Republicans passed a tax law slashing healthcare funding to make room for tax breaks for the wealthiest families.

Read more on this:

The Federal Government is Still Shut Down. Here’s What that Means Across the Country (NPR)

6 Shutdown Pain Points (Politico)

The Trump Administration is Legally Required to Provide SNAP in Shutdown, Contrary to Its Claims (CBPP)