The US Capitol in Washington is seen on September 30, 2013 , a day before the government shutdown began.
Congress Prepares to Kick the Can. Again: “In six days, the federal government will find itself not just shut down, but on the brink of default, and Washington is stumbling its way toward a familiar solution: a short-term reprieve from both fiscal crises. But there is little reason to believe that the temporary relief will make the spending struggles any easier next time, let alone permanently solve DC’s budget battles.” [TIME]
In Egypt, Obama Tests the Question: What Does Military Aid Buy America? [TIME]
Yellen’s Path from Liberal Theorist to Fed Voice for Jobs: “Ms. Yellen, 67, now finds herself as President Obama’s nominee to succeed the Fed chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, at the end of January, largely because many Democrats view Ms. Yellen as the best person to press that stimulus campaign and to strengthen financial regulation.” [NYT]
Strain on federal agencies increasing as government shutdown drags on. [The Hill] Food safety is one of the latest issues taking center stage during the shutdown, people in 18 states have fallen ill due to a salmonella outbreak, while many federal food inspectors remain furloughed. [NYT]
VIDEO: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said House Democrats would be willing to accept a short-term debt ceiling hike “if the alternative is to renege, to default.” [The Hill]
Joe Scarborough on the Real Republican Divide: “Forget the GOP divide between tea party members and establishment Republicans. If you want to see where the fault line runs in the Party of Lincoln look at the difference between Washington Republicans and other GOP leaders across America.” [Politico]
D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray to Senator Harry Reid: “Sir, we are not a department of the government,” the mayor told Reid on the steps of the Capitol. “We’re simply trying to be able to spend our own money.” [Washington Post] Reid’s response: “I’m on your side. Don’t screw it up, okay? Don’t screw it up.”
More from TIME: What’s prettier in print:
COVER: “Michael Bloomberg Wants to Be Mayor of the World” by Michael Scherer
Joe Klein: “Baby Boomers Ruined the Government”
Rana Foroohar: “The Gridlock Economy Blues”
“Obama’s Asia Problem” by Michael Crowley