Senate Republicans are set to face their latest unity test this week on President Donald Trump’s tariffs and import taxes, which have created heartburn for GOP lawmakers since the White House imposed them earlier this year.

BOSTON ― Unhappy with what he views as a political blame game being spread by taxpayer-funded state communications, state Sen. Ryan Fattman shut down the Senate’s session after just a few minutes Monday, Oct. 27, and suggested he might do the same Oct. 30 unless the messaging changes.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has kept the House out of session since Sept. 19, and the unfinished work is piling up as the shutdown drags into its sixth week.

Senate Chaplain Barry Black on Monday offered a pointed prayer, saying he hopes lawmakers remember that “no gold medals given” for breaking shutdown records. “Eternal God, our king,

Johnson said he will encourage Senate Majority Leader John Thune to bring his bill back up for another vote with the compromise amendment if the Senate fails to pass the House's continuing resolution to reopen the government.

Despite recent controversies, Graham Platner has a huge lead in a recent poll over two-term governor Janet Mills.

Auchincloss, a Democratic US House representative from Newton, also criticized past political statements that Platner posted on social media.

The Kansas Legislature is one step closer to convening for a special session focused on “redistricting and other time-sensitive issues.”

Three candidates are running in the heavily conservative district: Republicans Leigh Wambsganss and John Huffman, and Democrat Taylor Rehmet.

President Donald Trump is in Asia this week, while back in Washington the partial government shutdown shows no sign of ending. The Senate this week is expected to take up three joint resolutions that would terminate emergency declarations by the president that have been used to impose tariffs.