Under the stopgap bill passed in November that avoided a government shutdown just before the holidays, Congress now has two deadlines in January and February to fund the government.
The first deadline is set for Jan. 19, and lawmakers are split on next steps while deep divisions over spending persist.
There are a few ways this could play out.
First, Congress could pass the annual funding bills. Even as some conservatives continue to hope this could happen, others have signaled they would be open to passing a minibus given how far behind they are.
“It’s going to be very difficult to get all of the appropriations bills we have to get done in time if we don’t have the [top-line] number, and we don’t have the number right now,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.).
The seven GOP-crafted spending bills that have passed the House and the so-called “maxibus” of three bills that have passed the Democrat-controlled Senate look very different.
Leaders will ultimately have to figure out those top-line numbers as well as how to craft a bipartisan bill that can pass both chambers.
Second, Congress could pass another stopgap funding bill. If they take this route, it would be the third continuing resolution (CR) passed by lawmakers since September to buy more time for spending talks without triggering a government shutdown.
Democrats have staunchly opposed this route, and before the Senate left for the end-of-year recess, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said, “A CR is simply unacceptable for a year.”
“It’s devastating, particularly for defense, and we’ve got all of these wars going on. So, we need to reach an agreement on the top line and get about getting an outcome as soon as possible,” McConnell said.
Third, parts of the government could shut down on Jan. 20 if Congress fails to pass legislation.
Under the two-tiered stopgap bill that Congress passed last fall, lawmakers extended funding for four of the 12 appropriations bills through mid-January, including the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Agriculture.
Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), another appropriator, said before the holiday break that “If we don’t really get our act together and start working together and figuring these things out, it’s going to be difficult to [meet the January deadline].”
The deadline for the remaining bills will come up on Feb. 2, when funding for the Defense, Labor and Health and Human Services departments could lapse.
Finally, Congress could pass an omnibus package, which Republicans have railed against even as they become more normal.
“I think we’re going to end up with one of two things: either an omnibus or a yearlong CR,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), an appropriator, said. “And I’m not sure that an omnibus that would be put together by [Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)] and his team will get 10 Republican votes.”
The Hill’s Aris Folley has more here.
