Senate races to meet Friday deadline for government funding
The Senate Takes First Step Towards Funding Government, Urgency Mounts to Avoid Shutdown
The Senate made a crucial move on Tuesday to secure funding for the government as the clock ticks down to a potential partial shutdown.
The upper chamber overwhelmingly voted 68-13 in favor of advancing the Duck Stamp Act, a bill that will be repurposed to extend government funding until March.
Congressional leaders had previously reached a broad agreement on spending, but the specifics still need to be ironed out. This extension would grant lawmakers an additional six weeks to pass their annual appropriations bills, pushing the funding deadlines to March 1 and March 8.
However, ensuring the legislation’s passage in the Senate before Friday at midnight, when funding for the initial set of spending bills expires, won’t be a walk in the park.
The Senate operates on unanimous consent, meaning a single senator could potentially delay the process into the weekend. Nevertheless, the Senate has managed to avoid previous shutdowns by reaching time agreements that expedite the passage of bills.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed his determination to pass the continuing resolution by Thursday, emphasizing, “Time is of the essence.”
If successful, this would leave the House with just one day to pass the measure before it reaches President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
Despite a winter storm causing vote cancellations in the lower chamber, the Senate convened on Tuesday.
While there is little appetite for a shutdown in Washington, tensions over federal spending persist between the Republican-led House and Senate Democrats.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) managed to secure a top-line agreement with Schumer, which includes modest cuts to the IRS and COVID-19 relief funding. However, he has vowed to pursue policy riders that Democrats view as “poison pills” during the appropriations process.
This drama will unfold in the coming weeks as conservatives demand further concessions from Democrats, who currently hold control of the Senate and White House. However, hard-liners are unlikely to obstruct Johnson from accepting a short-term funding extension in the meantime.
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Earlier this month, a dozen Republicans brought House business to a halt in protest of the spending deal. However, they resumed voting after meeting with the speaker.
Johnson had initially sworn off continuing resolutions when he assumed the speakership in October but changed course as the next funding deadline approached. The decision of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, to pass a short-term extension played a role in his removal from the position.
What potential consequences, such as economic repercussions and decreased public trust, could result from a government shutdown
The urgency to avoid a government shutdown is steadily mounting, as the consequences of such an event would be significant. A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills or continuing resolutions to fund federal agencies and programs. This results in a halt of non-essential government services and employee furloughs, causing disruption and inconvenience to the public.
The need to secure government funding has become even more critical in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as various federal agencies play significant roles in providing relief and support to individuals and businesses affected by the crisis.
While the Senate’s advancement of the Duck Stamp Act is an important step towards ensuring government funding, there are still challenges to overcome in order to meet the looming deadline. The need for unanimous consent in the Senate means that any objection or delay from even a single senator could jeopardize the timely passage of the continuing resolution.
Nevertheless, the Senate has a history of finding ways to prevent shutdowns by reaching agreements to expedite the passage of crucial bills. These time agreements have enabled the government to continue operating without interruption in the past. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has expressed his determination to pass the continuing resolution by Thursday, underscoring the importance of time in this critical situation.
The funding extension until March would provide lawmakers with an additional six weeks to finalize the details of the appropriations bills. This additional time is essential for the thorough examination of the proposed funding allocations and for addressing any contentious issues that may arise during the process.
However, it is crucial for congressional leaders to swiftly and efficiently iron out the specifics of the funding agreement. The potential consequences of a government shutdown are far-reaching, including economic repercussions, disruption of public services, and decreased public trust in the government’s ability to govern effectively.
Additionally, with the ongoing pandemic still posing significant challenges, a government shutdown would only exacerbate the difficulties faced by the American people. From distributing vaccines to providing financial support, the federal government has a crucial role to play in managing the pandemic and its aftermath.
As the clock ticks down to the funding deadlines, it is imperative for Congress to put aside partisan differences and prioritize the needs of the American people. Swift action and cooperation are vital in order to avoid a government shutdown and ensure the continuity of government services and support.
In conclusion, the Senate’s move to advance the Duck Stamp Act is a significant step towards securing government funding before the looming deadlines. The urgency to avoid a shutdown cannot be overstated, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic. Congressional leaders must prioritize the needs of the American people, work together, and swiftly finalize the specifics of the funding agreement. The consequences of a government shutdown are far-reaching and would only compound the challenges faced by the nation. Time is of the essence, and decisive action is needed to prevent a disruption of government services and the negative impacts it would entail.
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