Policy Backgrounders

Federal Government Funding Negotiations

March 08, 2024

Trusted Insights for What's Ahead^®

 

This week, Congress focused on passing six appropriations bills by its self-imposed deadline of  March 8 to avoid a partial government shutdown. The spending package—covering the Departments of  Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Justice, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, a portion of veterans’ spending, and the Food and Drug Administration—passed the House under suspension of the rules (which requires a two-thirds vote) 339-85. A preliminary vote meant to estimate support for the package passed the Senate 63-35, with final passage expected later Friday or possibly Saturday (after the shutdown begins). However, six more appropriations bills—including two traditionally difficult ones—must still be enacted by March 22 to avoid a partial government shutdown at that time.

• The first package totals roughly $460 billion, representing approximately 30% of the topline spending of $1.66 trillion to which congressional leaders agreed.
• The package contains provisions important to each side. Democrats cite an additional $1 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the rejection of dozens of proposed policy changes. Republicans point to cuts to the budgets of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and policy changes.
• For the next spending package, debates concerning immigration, border security, health care, and labor policy are likely to be the biggest challenges to avoiding a shutdown.