Congress Working to Enact Stopgap Funding

With the start of fiscal year (FY) 2023 fast approaching on October 1, lawmakers are working to negotiate the terms of a continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown at the end of the month. As previously reported, House and Senate appropriators have released the details of their respective proposals for FY 2023 funding; however, negotiations on a final FY 2023 funding package will not be completed before the start of the new fiscal year in less than three weeks. House and Senate leaders are proposing a CR that would fund the government through December 16. If enacted, the House and Senate will table their work on the annual spending bills until after the midterm elections in November. However, the outlook for completing the FY 2023 appropriations process remains unclear as the bills’ futures depend heavily on the outcome of the elections and whether the balance of power shifts in the House and Senate next year. Stay tuned to COSSA’s coverage of the FY 2023 appropriations process.