A congressional delegation to Southeast Asia next month, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), has been cancelled, sources tell Axios.
Why it matters: The prolonged government shutdown is forcing top lawmakers to cancel trips into November, with little sign of progress on Capitol Hill.
- People familiar with the matter told Axios the CODEL was cancelled due to the logistics of a trip potentially in the middle of a shutdown, when many workers involved in planning are furloughed.
Between the lines: The shutdown is grounding diplomacy abroad and at home to a halt.
- Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle aren't talking to each other, and rank and file discussions about opening the government are stuck in the mud.
- Senate Democrats on Monday evening once again rejected a GOP-led funding bill.
Flashback: During the 35-day shutdown in 2018-19 — the longest in U.S. history — several congressional trips abroad were also canceled, including bipartisan visits to NATO allies.
Go deeper: Schumer keeps tight grip on Senate Dems as shutdown wears on
