House Republicans propose alternative funding plan to avoid government shutdown.
Speaker Mike Johnson Floats New Idea to Keep Government Open
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has proposed an innovative solution to prevent a government shutdown after Nov. 17. He suggests implementing a “laddered CR,” a temporary spending measure that would fund individual agencies until specific dates. The goal is to create a sense of urgency, encouraging the passage of individual appropriations bills and avoiding the need for an omnibus or another continuing resolution.
Appealing to Hard-Line Conservatives
This approach could potentially win over hard-line conservatives who have historically opposed continuing resolutions. These conservatives believe that such resolutions merely postpone government spending issues without actually resolving them. By funding agencies separately, the laddered CR addresses their concerns and offers a more effective solution.
The original idea was proposed by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture. He expressed frustration with the Senate’s preference for omnibus bills and their reluctance to consider individual bills. Harris believes that providing an incentive for the Senate to take up bills individually is crucial.
Progress on Appropriations Bills
Harris highlighted that two appropriations bills, the Military Construction and Veteran Affairs appropriations bill and the Agriculture Appropriations bill, are ready for a conference committee. Although the House has not yet passed the agriculture appropriations bill, Harris believes it is prepared for conference with the Senate.
However, due to time constraints with government funding set to expire on Nov. 17, Harris suggests adopting the laddered approach to a continuing resolution. This approach would prompt Congress to prioritize the appropriation bills for agencies at risk of losing funding first, and then move on to the next set of bills before their respective funding deadlines.
Uncharted Territory
While this approach has never been attempted before, it offers a practical way to focus on the most pressing funding needs. Harris emphasizes that agencies should be ready to go to conference and start working on appropriations bills, eliminating the need for a long-term CR.
However, the success of this plan remains uncertain, as some members of Congress are not fully convinced. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) suggests prioritizing getting the Senate to pass a bill and proceed to conference. He believes that a CR should be used to buy the necessary time.
Ultimately, the fate of the laddered CR proposal will depend on further discussions and negotiations among lawmakers.
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What are the potential consequences if a new funding agreement is not reached before the current funding expires on November 17?
He laddered CR would work by providing funding in stages, with each agency receiving funding on a specific date. This approach ensures that each agency’s budget is dealt with individually and allows for more targeted oversight and accountability. It also prevents the bundling of unrelated spending bills, which is a common practice in omnibus bills.
Speaker Johnson’s proposal comes at a crucial time, as the government faces another potential shutdown. The current funding expires on November 17, and without a new funding agreement in place, the government would be forced to shut down, disrupting essential services and causing financial uncertainty.
The idea of a laddered CR has gained traction among some Republicans who are looking for alternatives to the traditional approach of continuing resolutions. Many conservatives view long-term funding packages as an opportunity for excessive spending and a lack of fiscal responsibility. By funding individual agencies separately, the laddered CR could limit spending to what is necessary and avoid unnecessary budget allocations.
Furthermore, a laddered CR encourages bipartisanship and cooperation. By funding agencies on a staggered timeline, it allows for more focused negotiations on each sector, enabling lawmakers to find common ground and reach consensus on spending priorities. This approach avoids the political brinkmanship often associated with omnibus bills and continuing resolutions, where a failure to reach an agreement can result in a government shutdown.
Critics of the laddered CR argue that it could create further delays in passing appropriations bills. They worry that agencies may face funding gaps if individual bills are not passed on time. However, Speaker Johnson’s proposal includes safeguards to prevent such gaps by ensuring that Congress stays on track and meets the designated funding deadlines.
It must be noted that the laddered CR is not without its challenges. Coordinating the implementation of multiple funding schedules requires careful planning and coordination among lawmakers. Additionally, some agencies may require immediate and full funding, which could be challenging to allocate under the laddered CR system. However, these challenges can be addressed with comprehensive planning and effective communication.
In conclusion, Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal of a laddered CR offers an innovative solution to prevent a government shutdown and address the concerns of hard-line conservatives. By funding individual agencies separately, it creates a sense of urgency and encourages the passage of individual appropriations bills. This approach promotes fiscal responsibility, encourages bipartisanship, and ensures that essential services are not disrupted. As the government approaches the November 17 funding deadline, it is crucial for lawmakers to consider and debate new ideas like the laddered CR to keep the government open.
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