When Congress returns from its August recess, lawmakers will face an urgent deadline: just four weeks to prevent a government shutdown. With limited time and deep partisan divides, a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded beyond Sept. 30 now appears all but inevitable.
Before adjourning for the summer, the Senate passed its first bipartisan appropriations package, signaling some progress. However, House Republicans have yet to engage in serious bipartisan negotiations, instead advancing spending bills that include significant funding cuts and conservative policy riders, which Democrats oppose.
The prospects for a long-term agreement were already dim, exacerbated by growing tensions over fiscal priorities. House GOP leaders have reportedly assured fiscal conservatives that no new spending increases will be considered, while a number of Republicans continue to push for earmarks.
At the same time, Democrats are signaling they may demand renewed Affordable Care Act (ACA) funding and other policy concessions in exchange for supporting legislation to avoid a shutdown.
Democratic leaders Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer last week sent a letter to their Republican counterparts, calling for immediate bipartisan discussions.
“Republicans have the responsibility to govern for all Americans and work on a bipartisan basis to avert a painful, unnecessary shutdown at the end of September,” the letter stated.
This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.