Congress Passes CR, Averts Shutdown

On September 30^th, the House of Representatives was able to pass a short-term continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and fund the government through November 17^th. The measure does not include funding for Ukraine but does provide $16 billion for disaster relief. The bill also extends the authority of programs that were set to expire including: Federal Aviation Administration, Animal drug user fees, Community health centers and pandemic preparedness authorities and the National Flood Insurance Program.

Speaker McCarthy had attempted previously to pass continuing resolutions that would have cut domestic spending and omitted funding for disaster relief and Ukraine. Those packages were unanimously opposed by Democrats and several Republicans who argued that the provisions did not go far enough to reduce spending and address border security. As a result, it was widely expected that the government would shut down at midnight on September 30^th. However, in a surprise move, the package passed by McCarthy garnered significant Democratic support, enabling the bill to succeed by a vote of 335-91. The Senate quickly followed by overwhelmingly passing the continuing resolution 88-9. President Biden signed the bill the night of the 30^th. In the aftermath of the vote, several Republicans who have been critical of McCarthy indicated that they would move forward with an attempt to oust him from the Speaker’s position. Rules making it easier to remove the Speaker were negotiated when McCarthy was elected in January.