Shutdown Deadline Looms, Fate of CR Uncertain as Fiscal Hawks Cry Foul
Congress faces a Friday night deadline (December 20) to avoid a partial government shutdown, and there are signs of slow progress toward getting a continuing resolution (CR) done to keep the government open.
“Bipartisan work is ongoing. We’re almost there,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) at his weekly news conference.
Speaker Johnson confirmed the legislation will extend funding into March where it will then be taken up by the new administration and the new Congress. The bill includes $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in additional aid to farmers. Disagreements over that extra aid for farmers held the bill up for a few days.
The speaker noted that “acts of God” such as the devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton required additions to the CR, even though he intended for it to be a clean bill.
The Speaker will likely have to rely on Democratic votes again to get the CR through Congress, as some members of the GOP caucus continue to express disapproval over spending levels and accuse the Speaker of essentially passing an omnibus.
“We get this negotiated crap, and we’re forced to eat this crap sandwich,” said Representative Chip Roy (R-TX), another Freedom Caucus member. “Why? Because freaking Christmas is right around the corner. It’s the same dang thing every year. Legislate by crisis, legislate by calendar. Not legislate because it’s the right thing to do.”
Since House rules require members be given 72 hours to read legislation, a vote may not happen until Friday. As of 2:30pm Tuesday afternoon, text of the legislation was still not released.
Sen. Paul May Hold Up CR
Over in the Senate, there are concerns that Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) may singlehandedly delay passage of the CR over spending levels.
Given the late timing of the House vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will likely need all senators on board to get the bill through in time.
But Senator Paul told The Hill he won’t yield back the floor unless Senator Schumer gives fiscal hawks the opportunity to vote on amendments to offset the cost of new spending in the proposal.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated weekend work was a real possibility.
