Congressional leaders announced on Tuesday morning that they had reached an agreement on the final package of spending legislation to fund the federal government through the fall. However, there was uncertainty about whether they would be able to pass it in time to prevent a brief partial shutdown over the weekend.
House Republicans, Senate Democrats and the White House had been in disagreement over funding levels for the Department of Homeland Security. They had been working through disagreements that could have jeopardized the spending package for other agencies such as the Pentagon and State Department. They faced a deadline of midnight on Friday to pass the measure and prevent a funding gap.
A breakthrough on Monday night, where Democrats and Republicans agreed on funding levels for homeland security for the rest of the fiscal year, allowed negotiators to finalize their deal.
“An agreement has been reached” to fund the government through Sept. 30, Speaker Mike Johnson stated. “House and Senate committees have begun drafting bill text for consideration by the full House and Senate as soon as possible.”
However, the delay in reaching the deal could result in a brief lapse in government funding over the weekend. It will take time for congressional staff to draft the text of the bill, which combines six spending measures into one piece of legislation.
House Republicans have insisted that the 72-hour rule be followed before voting on the bill, though previous House leaders have not always adhered to this guidance.
Various senators may introduce procedural obstacles to the bill’s passage and demand votes on proposed changes or object to its swift consideration. These tactics could delay final passage beyond the Friday deadline.
Mr. Johnson divided the spending process into two halves late last year to avoid a single vote on a large catchall bill to fund the entire government, a move that Republicans have opposed in the past.
Lawmakers were able to negotiate and pass a $460 billion spending package earlier this month, meeting the first deadline on March 8. They are now working to negotiate funding for more contentious agencies before the second deadline at the end of this week.
