US Lawmakers Scramble to Avoid Government Shutdown
Funding the Government: A Contentious and Chaotic Affair
US lawmakers are scrambling to reach an agreement on funding federal agencies through the New Year to avert a damaging government shutdown. With just seven days to go before the start of the new year, the parties are likely to pass a stopgap patch known as a "continuing resolution" (CR) to keep services running on static budgets for the coming months.
Funding the government is often a contentious and chaotic affair, requiring the parties to agree on budgets that are subject to a 60-vote threshold in the closely divided 100-member Senate. Failing to do so would mean the lights going out across government starting from December 20, with thousands of workers being sent home without pay and all sorts of government operations and services being hit, from airport security to national parks and border controls.
High Stakes
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have yet to reach an agreement on overall spending levels, let alone on how to distribute the money across the government. The stakes are particularly high, with the potential for a shutdown looming large. Johnson is reportedly eyeing a CR until mid-to-late-March, allowing Trump to put his stamp on federal spending soon after his party takes control of the House, Senate, and White House in January.
Disagreements and Concerns
However, there is disagreement about how long a short-term deal should last and concern on both sides about the text being jammed with controversial legislative extras, known as "poison pill" amendments. Schumer emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation, stating, "The only way we prevent a shutdown is through bipartisan cooperation, without any last-minute poison pills that only create controversy. We can’t have that. It has never worked in the past, and adding poison pills at the 11th hour would only make the risk of a Christmas shutdown greater."
The Road Ahead
The parties are expected to release the text of the bill over the weekend or early next week, allowing both chambers to get the agreement to President Joe Biden’s desk before lawmakers leave town for the Christmas holidays. The outcome is far from certain, with the parties still at odds over the details of the agreement. Will they be able to come together to prevent a shutdown, or will the lights go out across government?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a continuing resolution (CR)?
A: A CR is a temporary funding measure that allows government agencies to continue operating at current levels until a full-year budget is agreed upon.
Q: Why is a government shutdown a risk?
A: A government shutdown would mean the lights going out across government, with thousands of workers being sent home without pay and all sorts of government operations and services being hit.
Q: What are the key sticking points in the negotiations?
A: The key sticking points include overall spending levels, how to distribute the money across the government, and the inclusion of controversial legislative extras, known as "poison pill" amendments.