TGIF

The shakin' paid off. The Congress and the President agreed to reopen the entire federal government for three weeks through February 15 while negotiations over border security continue. The President according to the Wall Street Journal "thanked federal workers for going more than a month without pay and said he would ensure they received back pay 'very quickly or as soon as possible.'”

The Wall Street Journal further reports that "Senate leaders passed a short-term spending Friday [afternoon] on a voice vote, enabling them to skip the chamber’s time-consuming procedures. The House has said it will move swiftly to consider the bill. It could also approve the bill on a voice vote, provided that no one objects."   Govexec.com tells us that "Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director for Management {and OPM Director] Margaret Weichert in a memo to agency heads directed them to take steps in anticipation of reopening. Priorities include recalling furloughed employees, 'restoring pay and benefits for employees,' and ensuring access to equipment and information technology systems, she said."

Odds are that the President will sign the short term funding bill today. It's a good thing that it's Friday which will allow two days to prepare for reopening.

In legislative news, Employees Benefit News informs us that a bi-partisan group of House members has introduced a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act's high cost plan / Cadillac tax (HR 748). Also AHIP tells us about bipartisan Senate bill to repeal the ACA's senseless health insurer fee. Let's go.