What Congress must do to avoid a shutdown
The Clock is Ticking: Congress Races to Avoid Government Shutdown
The House of Representatives and Senate are in a race against time as the deadline for the stopgap’s funding extension approaches. With the clock ticking, President Joe Biden managed to sign a continuing resolution just in time to avoid a shutdown on Oct. 1. However, this funding is only set to last until Nov. 17, leaving Congress with limited days to prevent a government shutdown.
Pass a Continuing Resolution
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has proposed a clean continuing resolution that would fund agencies until Jan. 15, 2024. This “laddered” stopgap approach means that different agencies would receive funding for varying periods instead of a blanket extension for the entire federal government. However, Democrats have expressed opposition to this idea, preferring a clean stopgap bill that would fund the government for a longer duration, similar to what was passed on Sept. 30.
Johnson’s proposal, presented to House Republicans, suggests a “two-part” approach to the continuing resolution. It would extend funding for specific appropriations bills until Jan. 19, 2024, for areas such as Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and the Energy and Water. The remaining appropriations bills would be extended until Feb. 2, 2024. Johnson aims to bring this continuing resolution, which does not include additional funding for Israel, to the GOP conference on Tuesday.
Finish Passing the Remaining Appropriations Bills
Out of the 12 necessary appropriations bills for fiscal 2024, the House has passed seven, while the Senate has only passed three. This week, the House plans to consider three more appropriations bills, including funding for Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education.
Before reaching the president’s desk, all bills must be passed by both the House and Senate. Negotiations typically occur between the two chambers to resolve differences in funding levels. Passing all 12 appropriations bills can be a time-consuming process, often resulting in omnibus bills that combine multiple appropriations.
The Consequences of a Government Shutdown
A government shutdown would lead to the closure of nonessential aspects of the federal government until funding is approved by Congress and signed into law by the president. The most recent and longest government shutdown occurred from December 2018 to January 2019.
During a shutdown, most federal workers are furloughed until funding is secured, while essential workers continue their duties without pay. However, once the shutdown ends, all federal employees, including those who were furloughed, would receive backpay.
What are the potential consequences of failing to raise the debt ceiling for the US economy?
S passed in previous years. The debate over the length and terms of the continuing resolution is likely to be a key point of contention among lawmakers in the coming weeks.
The Debt Ceiling Dilemma
In addition to the funding extension, Congress is also faced with the challenge of addressing the debt ceiling before the Treasury Department exhausts its emergency measures to avoid default. The debt ceiling is the maximum amount of debt that the federal government can legally borrow. Failure to raise the debt ceiling could have catastrophic consequences for the US economy, including a potential default on its debt obligations. While both parties acknowledge the importance of raising the debt ceiling, there is disagreement on the conditions and timing of the vote. Democrats argue that it should be included in the government funding bill, while Republicans are pushing for separate legislation.
Policy Riders and Partisan Politics
As if the funding extension and debt ceiling were not enough to contend with, there is also the issue of policy riders that could further complicate negotiations. Policy riders are provisions attached to spending bills that address specific issues or policies. They can be controversial and have the potential to derail the entire funding process if not agreed upon by both parties. Examples of policy riders that may be included in the upcoming negotiations include funding for a border wall, healthcare provisions, and climate change initiatives. Both Democrats and Republicans have their own priorities, making it difficult to find common ground.
The Impact of a Government Shutdown
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass or the President fails to sign a funding bill, resulting in the temporary suspension of non-essential government operations. The impact of a government shutdown is far-reaching and affects millions of Americans. Federal employees may be furloughed or forced to work without pay, national parks and museums may close, and essential services such as food inspections and tax return processing may be delayed. In addition, the uncertainty caused by a government shutdown can negatively impact businesses and consumer confidence.
The Need for Compromise and Bipartisanship
As the deadline for the funding extension approaches, it is crucial for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to put politics aside and work towards a bipartisan agreement. Compromise will be key in avoiding a government shutdown and addressing the debt ceiling. Both parties must be willing to negotiate and find common ground, setting aside their differences for the benefit of the American people. It is essential that Congress acts swiftly and responsibly to ensure the stability and functionality of the federal government.
Conclusion
The clock is ticking, and Congress is under pressure to act before the current funding expires. The path forward is uncertain and fraught with obstacles. However, it is vital that lawmakers come together, pass a continuing resolution, raise the debt ceiling, and avoid policy riders that could hinder progress. The American people deserve a functioning government that can provide essential services and uphold its obligations. It is time for Congress to prioritize the needs of the country over partisan politics and find a solution before the clock runs out.
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