Government Funding Saga Continues!

Government funding expires in 25 days.  The parties continue negotiations to agree on a top-line spending number, but Republicans might have to pass another continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government for some temporary period or through the end of the fiscal year (September 30).  Republicans and Democrats have already started messaging to try to cast the blame on each other for a potential government shutdown.

Democrats have significant leverage in this process.  If the parties can move forward on a FY 2025 spending package, Democrats will, at a minimum, require certain guarantees that the executive branch will spend appropriated funds.  If they cannot come to agreement, Republicans will need Democrats to help pass a CR in the House (several House Republicans never have voted in favor of a CR) and the Senate (moving a CR through that chamber would require 60 votes).

In one sense, moving forward with a CR would be politically easier for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), because spending levels would remain the same, so he would not risk revolt by budget hardliners while also trying to advance a budget reconciliation package.  But the Fiscal Responsibility Act, negotiated by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former-President Biden in 2023, would trigger defense and non-defense spending cuts if all 12 FY 2025 appropriations bills are not passed by April 30, and that would anger Republican defense hawks.