Government Shutdown Narrowly Avoided: What’s Inside the Temporary Funding Bill?

After tense negotiations and a race against time, Congress approved a stopgap funding bill on Saturday which will last until November 17, preventing a looming federal shutdown. President Biden signed the bill into law, ensuring that the U.S. government will continue to operate without interruptions. Key provisions include:

• Federal Disaster Assistance: One of the most significant components of this bill is the allocation of an additional $16 billion for disaster relief. This matches President Biden’s request dollar-for-dollar and reinforces the administration’s commitment to addressing recent natural disasters.
• Current Funding Levels Extended: The government’s operational budget has been maintained at the 2023 levels, ensuring no immediate cutbacks in services or functions. This funding will last until November 17.
• Omitting Aid to Ukraine: Arguably the most contentious element left out of the bill is aid to Ukraine. Initially, the White House sought to include it as a priority. However, growing opposition from a faction of GOP lawmakers led to its removal from the final bill.

What’s the path forward? The approval of this temporary measure is only a short-term solution, and Congress will need to regroup to find a more lasting resolution by November 17. Several potential flashpoints and challenges loom on the horizon. The question of aid to Ukraine will be front and center. Additionally, the decision by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to lean on Democratic support for passing the bill has made his position precarious. Calls for his removal have intensified, as his leadership receives increased scrutiny from his party.

While the immediate threat of a government shutdown has been averted, the contents of this stopgap bill and the political dynamics around it set the stage for a challenging month ahead in Congress. COSSA will keep a close watch as both parties’ attempt to bridge their differences and craft a longer-term funding solution. 

Stay tuned for continued updates from COSSA.