With government funding set to expire at midnight on Friday, Dec. 20, Congress faces a tight deadline to prevent a shutdown. Lawmakers are preparing to pass a temporary funding measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), that will extend funding into mid-March 2025. This short-term solution will give the incoming Republican majority in Congress time to finalize government funding for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Once lawmakers leave Washington at the end of this week, they are not scheduled to return for the rest of 2024, making this week’s legislative decisions critical.
Government Funding Stopgap
The proposed CR is expected to stave off a government shutdown but leaves many long-term decisions unresolved. By delaying permanent funding decisions until 2025, Republicans, who will control both chambers of Congress and the White House, will have significant sway over the next budget.
Defense Spending Secured Amid Controversy
In addition to addressing government funding, Congress is set to approve the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024. The $895.2 billion legislation funds the Department of Defense and includes contentious provisions opposed by many Democrats. These measures include restrictions on new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and a ban on the Pentagon’s health insurance covering gender dysphoria treatments for minors.
Democrats argued these provisions are unnecessary, noting that President-elect Donald Trump is unlikely to permit such programs once in office. However, 80 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the NDAA in the House, signaling bipartisan support for the legislation despite its controversial elements. The Senate is expected to pass the bill with well over the 60 votes needed for approval.
Farm Bill Extension Needed
Congress must also address the Farm Bill, a critical piece of legislation that sets national food and agriculture policy. The previous Farm Bill expired in September, leaving farmers and food assistance programs in limbo. Lawmakers are likely to approve a temporary extension lasting into 2025, delaying a permanent solution.
The Farm Bill impacts a wide range of Americans. Farmers depend on federal assistance to offset losses from products that cost more to grow than they can sell. Without this aid, the availability and price of those goods could be affected. The bill also authorizes SNAP benefits, which provide food assistance to low-income families. The temporary measure is expected to increase SNAP payments to help offset inflation-driven cost increases.
What’s Next?
As Congress races to finalize these measures, the clock is ticking. If a continuing resolution and temporary Farm Bill aren’t passed by Friday, much of the government could shut down. With the holidays approaching and lawmakers set to depart Washington, passing these temporary fixes is critical to avoid widespread disruptions and set the stage for the new Republican majority to address these issues in 2025.
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