Will the Shutdown End Legislation? No.

For many reasons, a government shutdown is disruptive to the broader policymaking process, not the least of which is that all infrastructure in Congress slows down - hearings, markups, bills on the floor, etc.  That being said, legislation can still move by the end of the year, and there will still be legislative victories. 

The Senate - on day nine of the shutdown - passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is a robust authorization for national security programs.  That bill will now be negotiated with the House version that has already passed.  Similarly, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is working on drafting a surface transportation reauthorization bill in an effort to pass it in the House before the end of the year.  Additional re-authorizations - from tele-health to flood insurance — are also likely to move at some point this year.  And even larger bills, including Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform, could get across the finish line this year. 

Of course, the shutdown will force the agenda to narrow.  And, without question, some items will get pushed to next year because of delays related to shutdowns.  But, legislation will still move, and the legislative process will successfully get bills to the President’s desk, despite the hurdles that a shutdown creates.