By Mark Valentini, Director of Legislative Affairs
In another last-minute deal, lawmakers averted a partial government shutdown by agreeing to a long-term continuing resolution (CR) that would keep parts of the federal government funded for the remainder of the fiscal year. This first tier of funding will keep the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and related agencies funded at FY23 levels through Sept. 30. This package accounts for roughly 30% of the federal government. Remaining agencies are funded through March 22 under a previous CR, and Congress must act to avert a shutdown of those agencies.
The process of merely keeping the federal government operational let alone funded through some vestige of regular order has been politically fraught, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) struggles to meet the demands of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus and the need to move legislation that must pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate; this struggle has been compounded by an increasingly narrow House Republican majority plagued by several vacant seats, the recent election of Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and the upcoming resignation of Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO). Past government shutdowns historically have been to the disadvantage of the Republican Congress and their political prospects, especially during an election year.
While the CR averts a partial government shutdown, there does not appear to be a clear path to a long-term deal to fund the remainder of government operations. PHCC continues to monitor the situation closely and will keep our members apprised.
