Congress faces upcoming fights with the debt ceiling behind them.

Congress Must Tackle These High-Priority Issues After Debt Ceiling Negotiations

After President Joe Biden signed the debt limit increase over the weekend, lawmakers are now turning their attention back to critical issues placed on hold during negotiations to raise the government’s borrowing limit.

Here are a couple of high-priority items Congress must tackle in the coming months:

• Government funding: The debt ceiling proposal that was passed gives the federal government more borrowing authority; it doesn’t, by itself, give the government authority to spend more money. The debt ceiling deal included a pledge for members of Congress to finish the 12 annual appropriations bills for fiscal 2024 by Jan. 1, 2024. This will be a heavy lift, considering it hasn’t been accomplished since 1997, and has often leaned on continuing resolutions to keep the government funded instead. The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 calls for an automatic 1% cut on discretionary spending if Congress fails to pass the 12 bills before the deadline.
• NASA targeting Monday launch for ISS resupply mission: The agreement already set top-line budgeting numbers for the appropriations process for the next fiscal year, which begins in October. However, some Republicans have already hinted they may attempt to extract additional spending concessions from Democrats.
• Will there be a supplemental defense bill? The debt ceiling deal that passed in both chambers limits Pentagon spending for the next two years, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are already looking for ways to boost that funding anyway. Biden is expected to request additional funding later this summer to support Ukraine once the $48 billion lawmakers already approved last year is used up. The request from Biden could also be a vehicle to tack on a broader range of military spending that was left behind in the debt ceiling bill.
• More clashes over SNAP in farm bill: As lawmakers in both chambers begin working on the farm bill reauthorization, there is expected to be another contentious fight over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The full House Agriculture Committee is holding its first hearing on the matter this week. Progressive Democrats objected to the new work requirements, and they argued Republicans spread false claims about those who utilize SNAP during the debt talks.
• Confirmations: While Senate leadership has continued to confirm judicial nominations, others have been put on the back burner during debt limit discussions. There are major questions about Julie Su’s nomination to become secretary of labor. In April, she was voted out of committee, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has yet to schedule a full Senate vote to confirm her.

These issues are crucial for the functioning of the government and the well-being of the American people. It’s time for Congress to prioritize them and work towards finding solutions that benefit everyone.