The Latest on the Government Shutdown and Funding Efforts

On February 29, the House and Senate successfully passed a stopgap bill. This legislative action ensures that the government will continue to operate without interruption at least until the next deadlines. The Senate’s approval came with a 77 to 13 vote, showcasing bipartisan support for the measure. The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 1.

The stopgap bill is a temporary solution, extending funding until March 8 for a significant portion of government spending, based on a prior agreement aimed at providing a substantial portion of government funding. The remaining federal government funds are set to expire on March 22, highlighting the urgency for a more permanent funding solution.

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees released the first package of final fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills. The summary of the package is available here and the final bill text is available here. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 will be considered in the House this week.

The latter six bills are considered more controversial, casting doubt on Congress’s ability to meet the March 22 deadline.

Stay tuned to COSSA’s continued coverage of the appropriations process.