03/30/2017

Another Government Funding Debate Looms in April

If not circumvented, the federal government could once again be shut down

With a deadline looming next month to keep the government funded, House Republicans are looking to avoid a protracted showdown with Democrats that could result in a government shutdown.

Congress is facing a deadline of April 28 to pass legislation that funds the government through September. Congressional Republicans know that Democratic support will be needed to get a bill passed, particularly in the Senate where Republicans hold a 52-48 majority.

Provisions to fund a wall along the border with Mexico or to defund Planned Parenthood would almost certainly threaten any deal with Democrats on short-term funding. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said earlier today that those two provisions in particular will not be in a short-term spending bill that Congress considers this month.

“We’re not going to have a government shutdown,” Ryan said bluntly this week. “The president doesn’t want to have a government shutdown. It’s funding from April 28 to September 30.”

This article was provided to OSAE by The Power of A.