Quick Hits

*** The House of Representatives passed a $480 billion increase to the federal debt limit through December 3 – the same day as the current continuing resolution funding the federal government expires. The vote was 219-206. The debt limit bill matches a bill passed in the Senate. The legislation allows the federal government to avert a partial default in mid-October when the Treasury Department says that debt payments will outstrip the current debt ceiling.

*** The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee will hear from three nominees to serve on the Federal Labor Relations Authority on October 20. Nominees include Ernest DuBester and Susan T. Grundmann to serve as FLRA members and Kurt T. Rumsfeld to be general counsel.