Lawmakers have returned home for the holidays without resolving critical funding issues, raising concerns about a potential government shutdown. Congress must finalize an agreement to fund the federal government by January 30, 2024. However, Senate leaders have postponed negotiations until the new year, leaving the future uncertain.
Negotiations around nine separate funding bills have yet to commence, with both Republican and Democratic leaders expressing frustration. “We wasted a lot of time because the Senate’s not negotiating yet,” stated Tom Cole (R-OK), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He emphasized that once negotiations begin, swift progress could be made.
Over the weekend, Cole and Susan Collins (R-ME) reached a tentative agreement on overall spending totals after a month of discussions. Despite this, GOP senators anticipate further attempts to advance a funding package in early January. In contrast, Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the House’s leading Democratic appropriator, expressed impatience with the process. “They wasted all that time during the summer,” she remarked, adding, “Democrats are prepared. We’re ready to move. Let’s go.”
Details about Republican appropriations totals remain undisclosed, but Cole indicated that the proposed deal would maintain funding levels below those agreed upon in last month’s temporary funding measure. This approach aims to satisfy House budget conservatives who advocate for flat funding for federal agencies. “I don’t want any spending higher than current-level spending,” asserted Chip Roy (R-TX).
As discussions progress, House hardliners may pose challenges for Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders if their demands are not met. Representative Mark Amodei (R-NV), who chairs the Homeland Security spending panel, warned that tensions could escalate. “You can expect the smoke to start coming up from over that hill and that hill and that hill,” he said, suggesting that the possibility of another shutdown is being openly discussed among some Republicans.
While a faction within the party is contemplating a shutdown, many Republicans believe that Congress will ultimately maintain current funding levels for the pending nine bills. Johnson aims to pass these before the end of January, though uncertainty remains. “I wouldn’t bet on that on Polymarket,” expressed one House Republican, highlighting the lack of confidence in reaching an agreement.
As lawmakers enjoy their holiday recess, the specter of a government shutdown looms, emphasizing the urgency for bipartisan cooperation in the weeks ahead. The coming months will be crucial as Congress reconvenes to address these pressing budgetary concerns.
