On Thursday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer initiated a procedural move to pave the way for the Democratic-dominated chamber to approve a temporary government funding bill before the looming Nov. 17 deadline, aiming to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Differences within the turbulent Republican majority in the House of Representatives have hindered the voting process on a temporary funding measure, commonly known as a continuing resolution or CR. Should House Republicans fail to initiate the process in time, Senate Democrats could push through their own bill, contingent upon House approval, in an effort to prevent the fourth partial government shutdown in a decade.
Although Congress has not yet finalized the 12 appropriations bills necessary to fund the government through Sept. 30, it previously passed a short-term funding bill on Sept. 30 to allow for more time. However, shortly after, a small group of House hardliners removed then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy over the agreement, sparking a three-week leadership battle that culminated in the election of Republican Mike Johnson on Oct. 25.
The two parties remain at odds over the 2024 spending cap. While Democratic President Joe Biden and McCarthy had set a $1.59 trillion discretionary spending budget in May, hardline Republicans have pushed for an additional $120 billion in reductions.
The United States witnessed a nearly $1.7 trillion deficit in its most recent fiscal year, marking its largest shortfall since the COVID pandemic-induced budget gap.
Both Democrats and Republicans in both chambers will continue negotiations to find a viable solution before the deadline, in hopes of sidestepping a shutdown.
