Lawmakers adjourned for their August recess with unfinished work on government funding, raising concerns about a potential government shutdown in the coming months. Congress has until October 1 to address government funding, either by passing spending bills to fund agencies or by enacting a stopgap measure to keep them running temporarily. However, bridging the gap between the Republican-led House and the Democratic-led Senate on spending priorities will be challenging.
The Senate is largely following the spending levels agreed upon by President Joe Biden and House Republicans as part of the debt-ceiling deal. This agreement maintains flat discretionary spending while allowing for increases in military and veterans accounts. Additionally, the Senate is seeking additional emergency appropriations, including funding for defense and nondefense sectors.
On the other hand, House Republicans, many of whom opposed the debt-ceiling deal, are pursuing bills with lower spending levels in an attempt to roll back expenditures to those of the previous fiscal year. They are also incorporating numerous policy add-ons that Democrats broadly oppose. These policy proposals range from restricting access to abortion pills and limiting funding for transgender veterans’ healthcare to prohibiting diversity training in the federal workplace.
While some House Republicans argue that a government shutdown should not be feared and that most Americans would not be affected, others disagree, recognizing the potential negative impact and political consequences. The slim majority held by Republicans amplifies the influence of a small group within their party, as demonstrated by the recent temporary shutdown of House votes by conservative opponents of the debt-ceiling agreement.
The decision by House Republicans to cut spending below the levels agreed upon in the debt-ceiling deal has set them on a collision course with the Senate, where spending bills align more closely with the agreement. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation to avoid a government shutdown, contrasting it with what he perceives as a partisan approach taken by House Republicans.
Despite the challenges, both House Republicans and Senate Democrats express confidence in reaching an agreement before the September 30 deadline. However, the differences in spending priorities and policy riders add complexity to the process. It is likely that a stopgap spending bill will be necessary to prevent a government shutdown, with the Senate expected to take the lead in passing such a measure.
Overall, the completion of 12 spending bills before the new fiscal year begins is uncertain. Disagreements over funding sources and policy provisions could further hinder progress. Ultimately, Congress will face significant challenges when they reconvene in September to address these issues.
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