Dear Neighbor, I am writing to share with you an update to this morning’s weekly report.  Today, just hours before the lapse in government funding deadline, House Republicans announced they would bring to the full House a Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded at current funding levels for 45 days and also provide $16 billion in disaster relief funds to people across the country recovering from recent disasters.  As I’ve noted before, keeping our government funded and functioning is a fundamental responsibility of Congress.  Today’s short-term extension of funding provides critical protections and programs that people across our community and country rely on.  I voted in favor of it, and it passed the House by a vote of 335 to 91.  The Senate is expected to vote on the resolution tonight, and I expect it to pass and to avert a government shutdown.  While I supported this resolution, I am deeply disappointed that some of our House colleagues brought us to the brink of a government shutdown that was completely avoidable.  It did not, and does not, need to be this way. In a change to the announced schedule, the House will now reconvene in Washington on Monday to consider more appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2024 and possibly other matters.  I will continue working to address our priorities and needs, and I hope that, moving forward, House Republicans will work in good faith with House Democrats to fund our government in a responsible manner on a sustained basis.  I am still planning to host a Telephone Town Hall from Washington on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. (central) to share information on the work of the 118th Congress and to answer your questions.  Interested in participating?  RSVP here.