Suspending the Rules

House Democrats unveiled a spending package that will be considered this week to end the partial government shutdown. On this episode of Bloomberg Government's "Suspending the Rules," deputy news director Loren Duggan breaks down the spending debate and the state of play of the shutdown as it nears the end of its second week. The spending fight could offer a preview of the forthcoming debate over federal debt limit, which is scheduled to come back into effect on March 19, and discretionary spending caps. Those issues and the new rules for the House under the Democratic majority are discussed in the second segment. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass Engineer: Nico Anzalotta

Funding for about one-quarter of the federal government -- including the Homeland Security, Treasury, and State departments, and the EPA -- will run out at midnight Friday unless a new spending deal is enacted before then. On this episode of "Suspending the Rules," Bloomberg Government budget and appropriations reporter Jack Fitzpatrick and deputy news director Loren Duggan look at the latest appropriations state of play. Last Friday, a federal court judge in Texas ruled that the Affordable Care Act, widely known as Obamacare, is unconstitutional. In the second segment, BGOV senior health policy reporter Alex Ruoff breaks down the immediate implications and the reactions from Capitol Hill and the White House. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass. Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

Last week, lawmakers announced a deal to advance legislation to establish a national safety framework for self-driving cars. Almost immediately, one prominent group withdrew its support, causing its chances for passage to crash. This week on "Suspending the Rules," Bloomberg Government transportation policy reporter Shaun Courtney and legislative analyst Sarah Babbage discuss what's in the compromise and if it will get a green light this Congress. The House is scheduled to take up a handful of health-care bills this week under a procedure reserved for noncontroversial measures. In the second segment, BGOV senior health policy reporter Alex Ruoff and legislative analyst Danielle Parnass break down a bill to penalize drugmakers that misclassify products under Medicaid to avoid paying higher rebates, as well as other measures on the docket. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Adam Schank. Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

After cancelling votes following the death of former President George H.W. Bush, Congress likely won't resume legislative business until Dec. 10. Topping the hefty to-do list will be finalizing the seven full-year spending bills that weren't completed before the fiscal year began on Oct. 1. On this week's episode of "Suspending the Rules," Bloomberg Government budget and appropriations reporter Jack Fitzpatrick and deputy news director Loren Duggan provide an update on Bush's funeral arrangements at the Capitol and the fiscal 2019 spending negotiations. Lawmakers are also working to finalize the farm bill, which would set agriculture and food support program policy for the next five years. In the second segment, BGOV agriculture policy reporter Teaganne Finn breaks down what we know about the agreement reached by top negotiators. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Sarah Babbage. Engineer: Nico Anzalotta.

House Democrats will select their leaders for the 116th Congress in closed-door caucus elections on Wednesday. On this week's episode of Bloomberg Government's "Suspending the Rules," congressional reporter Katherine Scott discusses the state of play for speaker and other Democratic leadership races. The National Flood Insurance Program is scheduled to lapse on Friday, potentially roiling coastal real estate markets. In the second segment, BGOV legislative analyst Michael Smallberg explains the program and how various reauthorization bills would change it. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor and Danielle Parnass Engineer: Nico Anzalotta

A bipartisan group of senators unveiled a compromise criminal justice measure last week that would ease mandatory minimum sentencing rules and expand programs to curb recidivism. On this Thanksgiving week episode of "Suspending the Rules," Bloomberg Government legislative analysts Naoreen Chowdhury and Michael Smallberg break down the proposal and its chances of advancing during the lame-duck session. Also last week, the Senate passed a Coast Guard reauthorization measure after reaching a compromise on environmental provisions that had stalled the bill's progress. In the second segment, legislative analyst Sarah Babbage and defense policy reporter Roxana Tiron describe the bill and the Coast Guard's vessel fleet needs. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor and Danielle Parnass Engineer: Nico Anzalotta

Congress returns to Washington this week following the midterm elections where Democrats won control of the House. On this week's episode of "Suspending the Rules," Bloomberg Government congressional reporter Katherine Scott and lobbying reporter Megan Wilson break down the House leadership races for the 116th Congress and what they'll mean for lobbyists on K Street. The House has 15 noncontroversial bills on its agenda this week, as well as a more divisive measure that would end protections for the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. In the second segment BGOV legislative analysts Adam M. Taylor and Naoreen Chowdhury preview the slate of bills. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Adam Schank, Danielle Parnass Engineer: Nico Anzalotta

Congress will look very different when it gavels in next year with a new House Democratic Majority and an expanded Republican Senate. On this special post-election episode of "Suspending the Rules," our reporters and legislative analysts break down the implications of a divided Congress for a variety of key issues. In this episode: • Bloomberg Government senior congressional reporter Nancy Ognanovich dives into the election returns and dynamics in the new Congress. • Bloomberg Government health policy reporter Shira Stein discusses what's in store for the Affordable Care Act, "Medicare-for-All," and drug pricing. • Bloomberg Government homeland security reporter Michaela Ross reviews potential moves on immigration. • Bloomberg Environment editor Rob Tricchinelli talks about what the election could mean for climate policy and environmental regulations. • Bloomberg Tax reporter Stu Basu discusses Democrats' tax priorities and plans to seek President Donald Trump's tax returns. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass, Sarah Babbage Engineer: Nico Anzalotta

Democrats are favored to take control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans are projected to retain their Senate majority. On this episode of "Suspending the Rules," Bloomberg Government Deputy News Director Loren Duggan and elections reporter Greg Giroux provide a final preview before voters go to the polls on Tuesday. The first segment focuses on key races in the House and what a Democratic majority would look like operationally and legislatively. The second segment hones in on the Senate, including the reasons why Republicans are favored to retain their majority and where bipartisanship may emerge in the next Congress. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor and Danielle Parnass Engineer: Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch

Sanctions on Iran's energy sector are slated to come back into effect on Nov. 5 after President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. On this week's episode of "Suspending the Rules," Bloomberg Government Legislative Analyst Naoreen Chowdhury discuss the history of the deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama and what is covered by the returning sanctions. As Election Day approaches super PACs and outside groups are pouring money into tight races across the country. In the second segment, Bloomberg Government's Ken Doyle, senior editor for money and politics, talks about where the money might be coming from and the biggest races those funds are going to. Hosts: Danielle Parnass and Adam Schank Engineer: Nico Anzalotta