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Members of Congress are anxious for a break to celebrate the holidays and recharge, but first they must extend government funding before it expires on Dec. 21. For the more than 70 members that won’t be returning next year, this is also their last chance to make their mark. This resulted is a 1,547-page bill that will fund the government through March 14, extend farm bill programs, allow an automatic pay raise for members of Congress, and provide more than $100 billion in disaster aid. This bill was widely expected to pass until President-elect Trump voiced last minute concerns sending House Republican leadership scrambling to find a solution that both the Senate will pass and President Biden will sign. Despite the inevitable theatrics, and short timelines, a solution to avoid a government shutdown hopefully will materialize before the Friday night deadline.
Meanwhile planning for the 119th Congress, which begins on Jan. 3, continues as leadership and committee assignments are slowly being announced. Republicans are also looking to assure a smooth vote for Speaker of the House to avoid a situation similar to the historic 15 ballots over four days that were needed to elect Kevin McCarthy at the beginning of the 118th Congress. With an even smaller Republican majority, it will take nearly perfect party unity to avoid a repeat.
Republicans are mapping out an aggressive legislative agenda for the new Congress and administration, but limited majorities and the challenges of setting up a new administration will create obstacles for success.
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