The current federal government shutdown has officially become the longest shutdown in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record of 35 days. Pressure continues to mount on Congress as various federal programs and agencies suffer from reduced funding and activity. While the House remains in recess, Senate Republicans and Democrats have resumed funding conversations this week, with some progress being made, but no consensus yet. Issues currently under discussion include attaching the first three appropriations bills to the continuing resolution to reopen the government, addressing health care tax credits in some way, and overturning reductions in force issued during the shutdown while ensuring all federal workers are paid. Read more updates below. 

• ED Rulemaking Panel Meets to Discuss Student Loans: This week, the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee at the Department of Education (ED) met to discuss implementation of federal student loan changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Discussions this week were largely focused on which programs would be defined as professional, which would allow students in those programs to receive up to $50,000 in federal loans per year under new OBBBA regulations. The committee officially concluded its work on Nov. 6. 

• Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund SNAP: On Nov. 6, a federal judge ruled that the Trump Administration must fully pay out SNAP benefits for November. The Trump Administration initially announced this week that it was going to only partially fund SNAP benefits prior to this ruling. 

• DOL Welcomes New Appointees: On Nov. 5, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced seven newly Senate-confirmed agency heads joining the Department of Labor (DOL). Offices that the new appointees will be heading include OSHA, the Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Mine Safety and Health Administration. 

• More than 20 States Announce Lawsuit Against PSLF Regulations: On Nov. 3, over 20 Democrat-led states filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration on new regulations announced last week for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The new regulations would exclude certain employers from participating in the program if they engage in certain “unlawful activities,” such as supporting undocumented immigrants. These new regulations could potentially impact educators, depending on how they are interpreted.  

• Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Apprenticeships: On Nov. 5, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on apprenticeship programs. Leaders from education and workforce organizations testified on the importance of scaling apprenticeship programs nationwide and developing student interest in skilled trade occupations. Read more about the hearing on the blog here.