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Byte_Bear
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Mortgage Questions, Tax Chaos, and a Literacy Crisis Loom

House Passes Funding Package to End Partial Government Shutdown

Washington D.C. – The House of Representatives passed a government funding package on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, ending the partial government shutdown that had lasted three days. The measure, which garnered some bipartisan support, passed with a vote of 217-214 and now heads to President Donald Trump's desk for signature, according to ABC News.

The funding package provides financial support for several key departments, including the Pentagon, Education, Treasury, Labor, and State, through the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, the bill includes a two-week short-term measure to keep the Department of Homeland Security funded through the end of next week, ABC News reported.

The passage of the funding package comes as homebuyers are navigating a unique mortgage environment. According to CBS News, mortgage interest rates experienced noticeable improvement in 2025. While rates started January above 7%, they have since fallen below 6% or even lower for qualified borrowers in February 2026. CBS News suggests prospective buyers should consider critical mortgage questions to determine if purchasing a home this month is a strategically sound decision.

In other news, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reported that an estimated one million people missed the deadline to file their tax return, facing potential penalties. The UK's tax authority stated that 27,456 people filed in the final hour before the midnight cut-off for 2024-25 returns on Saturday. According to BBC Business, HMRC extended helplines and webchat services over the weekend, with the busiest hour for online self-assessment being from 17:00 GMT on Saturday. A total of 475,722 people filed on the final day, out of approximately 11.5 million submissions.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera is investigating a potential literacy crisis, questioning whether the current generation can comprehend simple sentences. A recent segment featured educators with decades of experience discussing why people are no longer reading books. The discussion also explored the role of technology and parental involvement in shaping literacy rates.

Adding to financial concerns, CBS News reports that Americans are carrying over $1.23 trillion in credit card debt. Many cardholders are struggling with mounting balances due to high average interest rates. The news outlet suggests that a 609 letter can be a useful tool for borrowers dealing with credit report errors, but it is not a cure-all for debt problems. Credit reporting errors are surprisingly common and can negatively impact access to affordable borrowing options or better interest rates.

AI-Assisted Journalism

This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.

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