Senate Advances Defense Policy Bill After Weeks-Long Stalemate
Last Thursday, the Senate approved its version of the annual defense policy bill (S.2296) in a 77-20 vote. The measure authorizes $925.8 billion in national defense spending, $32.1 billion above the levels requested by the Trump administration. The vote ends a nearly month-long impasse over the amendment process that had stalled the bill since early September.
Negotiations Continue, Agencies Release Shutdown Directives, and the Executive Branch Retaliates
The federal government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, October 1, following the Senate’s failure to pass the House-approved continuing resolution (CR) [217 - 212]. The House remains in recess, leaving the Senate as the only chamber currently in session and capable of taking action to reopen the government.
State of the Shutdown: Updates We’ve Been Watching
The threat of a government shutdown continues to loom over Washington after a week of dueling proposals. The Republican stopgap was rejected by Democrats on a 48-44 vote after passing the House on Friday morning. Sen. Fetterman (PA) was the only Democrat to vote for the GOP proposal, while Sen. Murkowski (AK) and Sen. Paul (KY) voted against it. The Democratic counterproposal was also rejected in a 47-45 vote. These outcomes were expected, The GOP bill does not extend the ACA subsidies slated to expire Dec. 31, and Democratic leaders vowed to oppose any bill that doesn’t extend them.
What’s Left on Washington’s Agenda Before the Clock Runs Out?
Congress has been racing against the clock to check off as many items on its legislative to-do list as possible ahead of the August recess. Most notably, President Trump has led congressional Republicans in advancing a major budget reconciliation package, the One Big Beautiful Bill, which proposes sweeping changes to tax policy, healthcare, energy production, immigration enforcement, and national defense.
House Rescission Package Deep-Dive
A rescission package refers to a proposal by the President to cancel or amend previously approved government spending, often targeting specific programs already set in place. In simple terms, it is the President’s way to propose budget cuts on a national level. The process involves the President submitting their rescission package to Congress, who, in turn, have 45 days to approve, reject, or change the proposed package.
House vs. Senate: GOP Budget Battle Reveals Deep Divisions
The Republican Party’s struggle to advance its budget blueprint highlights deep divisions between House and Senate members. As House Republicans push the Senate to adopt their framework to expedite President Trump’s ambitious policy agenda, Senate Republicans are charting their own course.
Navigating the FY25 Funding Deadline, FY26 Negotiations, and the Budget Reconciliation Showdown
As the Trump Administration enters its second month, the federal budget process is emerging as one of the most closely watched political battlegrounds.
Budget Reconciliation 101
Budget Reconciliation was born out of The Congressional Budget Act of 1974, which established the congressional budget process for determining national priorities. Reconciliation is a fast-track budgetary mechanism that enables policy changes related to spending, revenues, and federal debt limits to be enacted into law.
Budget Reconciliation 101
A comprehensive overview of the budget reconciliation process as Republicans aim to use this legislative tool to advance their policy objectives.
A Sprint Through September, November, and the Final Days of the 118th Congress
As Congress returns from its August recess, the legislative agenda for September and the final stretch of 2024 looks especially packed and contentious.
FY 2024 Appropriations Concludes; Government Funded Through September
At the end of the week, Congress passed a sweeping $1.2 trillion spending package, steering the United States government clear of a looming partial shutdown. The passage of this budget agreement not only underscores the complexities of contemporary American politics but also signals significant repercussions within the political landscape, particularly within the House of Representatives.
Fiscal Cliffhangers: The Battle Over FY2024 Spending and the Road to FY2025
Congress is yet again staring down the barrel of a government shutdown. With the upcoming deadlines to pass the necessary appropriations bills or a new Continuing Resolution looming, Congress must also contend with the approaching FY2025 appropriations process. Here is a look at where FY2024 appropriations stand and what it means for the next fiscal year.
Congress Passes Yet Another Stopgap Spending Bill
In a 314 to 108 vote on January 18, 2024,, the House of Representatives passed another stopgap spending bill sending it to President Biden’s desk and averting a government shutdown.
Congress Avoids 2023 Funding Lapse; Sets Up Early 2024 Funding Showdown, But Funds Farm Bill For One Year
Congress has passed a stopgap bill to keep the government open, putting Congress on a path to avert a shutdown this Friday and setting the stage for a broader funding fight in the new year.
Congress Avoids Yet Another Spending Deadline
After months of internal fighting, Congress has passed a stopgap bill to keep the government open, putting Congress on a path to avert a shutdown this Friday and setting the stage for a broader funding fight in the new year. It now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk, where he is expected to sign the legislation tomorrow evening.
Shutdown Showdown: Ukraine, Israel, and Everything in Between
Congress is staring down yet another deadline for avoiding a U.S. government shutdown. This will likely require Congress to approve a short-term spending bill by November 17, giving lawmakers more time to negotiate on the 12 appropriations bills to fund federal programs through September 30, 2024.
Government Shutdown Averted in ‘Clean’ CR Until Nov. 17
A government shutdown was avoided with hours to spare Saturday evening after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20) changed course and put forward a continuing resolution (CR) that funds the federal government at current levels until November 17 and extends authorization of the FAA until December 31.
Potential for Government Shutdown Increases: How We Got Here & What You Should Know
The ongoing budget and appropriations negotiations paint a picture of political uncertainty, internal party strife, and the looming threat of a government shutdown. The dynamics of these negotiations reveal the challenges of achieving consensus in a deeply divided political landscape. The implications of a shutdown are far-reaching, affecting everything from national security to environmental protection. As the October 1 deadline approaches, all eyes are on Capitol Hill to see whether lawmakers can avert yet another government shutdown and find common ground on budget priorities.
Congress Returns to Busy Schedule
The Senate returned from August recess this week and faces an overflowing legislative agenda packed with Party priorities and legislative responsibilities. The House returns from recess on September 12. Let's take a look at what is on the horizon.
Insight into the Appropriations Process
With Congress out for August Recess, we wanted to provide an overview of the appropriations process that has been underway this past Summer and will pick up again in September. Until the chambers reconvene, here is some background information on the daunting appropriations process that takes place each fiscal year.