Congress is under increasing pressure to finalize a large government funding deal before the looming shutdown deadline on Friday. Lawmakers are worried that the process might stretch into the weekend.
Lawmakers expect to see the written law appear as late as Wednesday, but some warn it could be even later as staff work on putting together the annual Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas), the leading Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee responsible for crafting the DHS funding bill, told The Hill on Wednesday afternoon, “We hope to see it late tonight, but it might go into early Thursday.”
The DHS funding bill is one of six bills that will be part of a large government funding package for lawmakers to vote on in the next few days to prevent a government shutdown.
The full-year funding package, which could amount to more than $1 trillion in spending for fiscal year 2024, would fund various departments including DHS, Defense, State, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, as well as financial services, foreign operations, and general government.
On Wednesday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) mentioned that lawmakers are exploring ways to speed up the process, as Republicans debate whether the chamber should waive its rule allowing members at least three days to consider some legislation before voting.
However, Johnson also stated early Wednesday that he doesn’t think a stopgap measure, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), will be necessary to prevent a funding lapse.
Although the funding package has not been made public yet, both sides have already started claiming early victories in the spending battle. Republicans have highlighted funding cuts in areas like foreign operations and diversity, while Democrats have emphasized investments in childcare and domestic programs, and have resisted GOP-backed “poison pill” riders.
Members of the House, on both sides, are pushing for a vote as early as Friday. But it’s still uncertain how quickly the Senate will be able to proceed with the legislation, especially as some conservatives have indicated they plan to delay passage in protest of the deal.
Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), an appropriator, said on Wednesday, “We might have a two- or three-day shutdown,” but he also minimized the impact it would have on government operations. Others have also questioned whether a shutdown would occur at all, even if there is a small one. funding gap.
Earlier this month, Congress approved the first six annual funding bills as part of a package, funding various government departments.
At that time, lawmakers were also facing a Friday deadline to pass the measure. However, the Senate didn’t approve the package until hours before the deadline due to last minute drama, and the president didn’t end up signing the bill until Saturday.
After the Senate passed the bills, the Office of Management and Budget stopped shutdown preparations and stated that agencies would continue to operate as usual.
