Whoa, We’re Halfway There: The House passed a measure today to fund the D.C. government through Dec. 15, but it is not expected to pass the Senate (for valid reasons), another sign of our current troubled Congress.-10

Train in Vain: WMATA announced a drop in ridership due to the federal shutdown and consequently is reducing the size of its trains to no more than six cars. -6

Up in Smoke: The D.C. Council passed legislation that would ban smoking within 25 feet of city playgrounds, parks, recreation centers, and bus stops. +3

Boozy Days: The furloughed federal workers drank an impressive amount of free beer Monday. +3

Yesterday’s Needle rating: 63 Today’s score: -10Needle rating: 53