People in New York City look at a sign informing them that the Statue of Liberty is closed on Oct. 1, 2013, due to a government shutdown. Tensions among lawmakers and President Donald Trump, combined with party leaders’ increasing focus on next year’s midterm elections, makes the possibility of a shutdown next month higher than it has been for years. SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAGES via STATES NEWSROOM
BY JENNIFER SHUTTStates Newsroom WASHINGTON — Congress returns to Washington, D.C., this week following an uneventful August recess where little to no progress was made…