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With just days remaining to avert a government shutdown, congressional leaders on Tuesday revealed a 1,500-page stopgap measure to keep the government funded through March 14. The new continuing resolution (CR) includes key provisions such as a one-year extension of the farm bill, $100 billion in disaster relief, and $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers.
The legislation is the product of last-minute negotiations aimed at avoiding a funding lapse after the current resolution expires on Dec. 20. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., acknowledged the tight timeline but emphasized the necessity of the measure, which provides lawmakers more time to negotiate long-term spending bills under Republican control in both the House and Senate next year.
Despite Johnson’s efforts, the stopgap measure has faced criticism from hardline conservatives in his party. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, expressed frustration over the process, calling it “legislate by crisis” and criticizing leadership for presenting what he described as a “crap sandwich” under pressure from the holiday calendar.
Johnson defended the bill, asserting that it is not a typical end-of-year omnibus package but a temporary measure to address immediate needs, including disaster relief for areas affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton earlier this year.
Challenges in Passing the CR
The speaker has committed to following the House’s regular process, including a review by the Rules Committee, though this path risks opposition from conservative members and could delay progress. Alternatively, leadership might consider suspending the rules to expedite a vote, relying on Democratic support to reach the required two-thirds majority.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar indicated that Republican leadership would need bipartisan cooperation to pass the bill. “Let’s find solutions, let’s tune out the most extreme voices in your conference, and let’s find that consensus,” Aguilar said.
Johnson’s previous criticism of large, rushed spending bills has added scrutiny to his approach. However, he argued that the CR would allow Republicans to shape spending decisions more effectively in the new year.
Senate’s Role and Broader Consensus
In the Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and top appropriator Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., voiced urgency in completing the legislation. Murray criticized delays caused by “an eleventh-hour demand from the speaker” but underscored the need for bipartisan cooperation to prevent a shutdown and deliver critical disaster relief.
“We are heading into the holidays, and the nation really needs a bipartisan package that will prevent a needless shutdown,” Murray said.
While the timeline is tight, lawmakers from both chambers are expected to approve the measure, reflecting a widespread lack of appetite for a funding lapse during the holiday season.
Next Steps
If passed, the stopgap bill would secure government funding until March, giving Congress time to address broader spending priorities in 2024. Johnson and other leaders aim to resolve future funding issues well before the new March deadline to avoid repeating the current scramble.
As negotiations conclude, the focus remains on balancing immediate funding needs with longer-term fiscal priorities, even as frustrations over the legislative process linger.
