The annual end of the year battle is taking place as Congress must pass legislation to fund the government before leaving town for the year. This is done in the spirit of Christmas and attempts by leadership in making – or not making because not everyone has been nice - the final bill a Christmas tree full of gifts, and additional spending. Certain Republicans, preparing for their recently won, albeit narrow majority, are making waves about what not to spend money on with threats of holding the final bill hostage and potentially shutting down the government. Trust me, no Member of Congress wants to be in Washington for the holidays!
The Senate still hasn’t agreed to move forward on a week-long continuing resolution designed to avoid a government shutdown or the annual defense authorization bill, but we should find out more on both topics pretty quickly today.
On Wednesday, the House passed a short-term government funding bill that will keep federal agencies open though next Friday, Dec. 23. The current funding deadline is tomorrow at midnight.
The vote tally in the House was 224-201, with nine Republicans crossing the aisle to back Democrats on the measure. House GOP leaders whipped against the CR, according to Republican lawmakers and aides, just like they’ll whip against the FY2023 omnibus next week.
This CR is needed to give House and Senate appropriators more time to draft and pass the roughly $1.7 trillion omnibus funding package. The massive bill will be taken up by the Senate first next week and then the House. Be prepared for a rocky week.
Democrats are calling for a vote on Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) permitting reforming proposal. That would be held as a 60-vote threshold. There’s pretty steep GOP opposition, so it’s very likely to fail.
Republicans are pushing for a vote on an amendment by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) that would reinstate members of the armed forces who were kicked out for refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccine. These service members would also get back pay.
Schumer’s office hotlined both amendments last night to determine if there were any objections. This would include a vote on final passage as well. We expect some guidance on the NDAA early today. Leadership aides on both sides expect the NDAA to pass, leaving the Senate free to work on the omnibus next week.
This year bet on Congress reaching agreement and everyone will be happy at home for the holidays! Next year could be a different story with a new majority and the 2024 elections approaching.