Congress is scrambling to pass a deal that will fund the government and avoid the dreaded shutdown deadline that is quickly approaching. With just a few days left and the clock ticking, lawmakers are working hard to push through an agreement that will keep the lights on.
The current spending bill, which was passed in December and only extended funding for the government until February 15th, is set to expire on the 15th, leaving Congress without a deal to keep the government operational. At this point, lawmakers have reached a deal that would fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends in September. The agreement, which was brokered by Democratic and Republican leadership, would provide $333 billion in discretionary spending and is expected to pass the House and Senate with bipartisan support.
However, time is running short and Congress must act quickly if they are to avoid a government shutdown. If lawmakers do not pass the deal by midnight on February 15th, the government will run out of money and shut down, resulting in no pay for essential federal workers and the cessation of critical government services.
The good news is that Congressional leaders believe that they have the votes needed to pass the spending bill and fund the government. Now it’s just a matter of working out last minute details and passing the agreement over the next few days.
This latest deal is not without its controversy, as both Democrats and Republicans have chosen to put aside their differences and come together to fund the government. As disagreements rage on about how to best fund border security, many have criticized Democrats for deciding to “cave” and give President Trump the vast majority of what he wanted.
Still, with the deadline looming, both parties agree that passing the spending bill is the best way to avoid a government shutdown. If all sides can come together and pass the deal, then the government will be funded through the end of the fiscal year. It’s a deal that shows that, at least in the short term, compromise is still possible in a divided Washington.
Congress is scrambling to pass a deal that will fund the government and avoid the dreaded shutdown deadline that is quickly approaching. With just a few days left and the clock ticking, lawmakers are working hard to push through an agreement that will keep the lights on.
The current spending bill, which was passed in December and only extended funding for the government until February 15th, is set to expire on the 15th, leaving Congress without a deal to keep the government operational. At this point, lawmakers have reached a deal that would fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends in September. The agreement, which was brokered by Democratic and Republican leadership, would provide $333 billion in discretionary spending and is expected to pass the House and Senate with bipartisan support.
However, time is running short and Congress must act quickly if they are to avoid a government shutdown. If lawmakers do not pass the deal by midnight on February 15th, the government will run out of money and shut down, resulting in no pay for essential federal workers and the cessation of critical government services.
The good news is that Congressional leaders believe that they have the votes needed to pass the spending bill and fund the government. Now it’s just a matter of working out last minute details and passing the agreement over the next few days.
This latest deal is not without its controversy, as both Democrats and Republicans have chosen to put aside their differences and come together to fund the government. As disagreements rage on about how to best fund border security, many have criticized Democrats for deciding to “cave” and give President Trump the vast majority of what he wanted.
Still, with the deadline looming, both parties agree that passing the spending bill is the best way to avoid a government shutdown. If all sides can come together and pass the deal, then the government will be funded through the end of the fiscal year. It’s a deal that shows that, at least in the short term, compromise is still possible in a divided Washington.
