With a new administration and lawmakers set to take over in Washington, the current Congress has only three weeks to pass government funding to avoid a shutdown and approve a defense spending bill. The current funding bill expires on Dec. 20, and lawmakers must come to an agreement to avoid a shutdown just before the Christmas holidays.
While there is little indication of a shutdown happening, the question is whether lawmakers will broker a funding deal or extend current funding levels, and for how long. Republican leaders are aiming to pass a funding deal by the end of the year to allow President-elect Donald Trump to focus on his agenda in his first 100 days.
In addition to government funding, Congress must also pass a national defense spending bill every year. The House and Senate are expected to release a compromise bill soon, but they still need to agree on a total spending amount within the bounds of a spending deal brokered in 2023.
Biden has requested nearly $100 billion in emergency funding for natural disaster aid, including assistance for hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and other emergencies. There is bipartisan support for additional aid, but divisions over spending programs may make it challenging to approve in the final weeks of the year.
During a government shutdown, nonessential federal employees are sent home, while essential workers continue to work and receive pay. Key benefit programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would continue, but national parks, monuments, and some government services would be affected.
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