Leading members of Congress have announced three bipartisan spending bills to avoid another shutdown after January 30th.
Senate signs deal to end historic government shutdown
Lawmakers agree to end longest government shutdown in history and reopen government through January 30th
Leading members of Congress announced on Monday, January 5, three bipartisan spending bills they aim to pass by the end of the month to avoid another government shutdown.
In the wake of last year’s record fiscal crisis, there is little appetite on Capitol Hill to allow the funds to expire past the looming Jan. 30 deadline.
But even if lawmakers fail to pass more spending measures by then, the government would only be partially shut down. Congress already approved a series of full-year funding measures in November.
The same Democrats who pushed hard to shut down the federal government last October — largely in hopes of pressuring Republicans to extend health care benefits that expired at the beginning of the year — have already said they have no intention of doing it again.
When asked on ABC’s “This Week” on Jan. 4 if the country was headed for another government shutdown, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) simply answered, “No.”
“The good news is that the Republican appropriators are working with us and are making good progress in this regard,” he said.
The bipartisan bill would reverse the Trump administration’s funding cuts to agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Park Service. It also includes language that more strongly asserts Congress’ spending authority, following recent calls by the White House to override appropriations.
Opponents of the bill say one of the bill’s already controversial provisions protects pesticide manufacturers from some liability (supporters counter that it does not affect current or future lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers). Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has promised to introduce an amendment to repeal the language.
Congress is also far from united around any of the many alternative legislative plans that have been floated to lower health care costs as they soar for millions of households, especially those enrolled in Obamacare.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said in a statement on January 5 that he aims to bring the remaining spending bill to the House this week.
“As these bills are debated, we are returning to normal order, restoring accountability to our processes, and reaffirming our commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” he said.
Zachary Schermele is a Congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..
