Senators work to extend the deadline for the annual funding bill.
Congress returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday after the month-long summer August recess. The Senate is working ahead of the House to draft a stopgap extension bill for the annual passage of government funding.
The current deadline to pass legislation approving the federal government’s 2024 budget is September 30. Last week, the White House urged Congress to pass a continuing resolution that would temporarily fund the government while a formal budget is finalized.
President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy entered into negotiations this past May, with the House speaker agreeing to raise the federal government’s debt ceiling in exchange for certain spending cuts in the 2024 budget. Since then, some members of the House majority have urged more spending cuts, expressing the willingness to stall budgetary negotiations if necessary.
The Senate is now working to draft a continuing resolution and 2024 budget ahead of the House, hoping to counter this potential stall by moving forward legislation based on the president and House speaker’s original deal.
“To avoid a harmful and unnecessary government shutdown, the House should follow the Senate’s incredible lead and pass their appropriations bills in a bipartisan way,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated in a letter to colleagues.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Senate Majority Leader Schumer and members of the Senate as they consider passing a continuing resolution as they negotiate the federal budget.
- For wisdom for Speaker McCarthy as he navigates the diverse opinions and priorities of representatives in the House.
- For members of Congress to look to God for guidance on government spending.
Sources: Reuters, The Hill
