Federal budget news covering government shutdowns, continuing resolutions, spending bills, debt ceiling, and fiscal policy debates.
House Republicans released a continuing resolution to extend federal funding through December 4, but omitted Trump's SAVE Act, which would require voter ID and ban mail-in voting. Trump has insisted the SAVE Act be a priority, causing delays.
Fukuoka prefectural government admitted spending over US$2 million on costly overseas 'research trips' since 2021, triggering public backlash. Governor Seitaro Hattori expressed regret, saying 'established practice' was not followed. The government promised to review customs after spending 337 million yen on 23 trips, including hotel upgrades.
A Government Accountability Office report found that 89% of the Department of Transportation's 189 office buildings were underutilized, with average occupancy rates of 37% for owned and 41% for leased buildings. The DOT and FAA headquarters cost over $100 million annually in rent but were only about one-third full.