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Congress worked over the weekend to pass a stopgap government funding bill and avoid a government shutdown. Lawmakers will need to act fast as the continuing resolution President Biden signed into law late Saturday night just hours before a shutdown only funds the government for 45 days.
After months of negotiating and political posturing from both chambers and parties, Congress passed the 45-day stopgap spending bill, funding the government through November 17. On Saturday, both chambers passed the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 5860) in a bipartisan manner. The House voted to pass the short-term spending bill by a vote 335-91, with all Democrats voting in favor for the extension except for Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.). The Senate followed suit later that afternoon, passing the measure 88-9.
The legislation funds the government at fiscal year 2023 funding levels and includes $16 billion for emergency disaster assistance. The legislation extends the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization including $842.1 million for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), allowing for the planning and development of public-use airports through December 31. Extensions for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and programs for disaster response under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act are authorized through November 17. The measure does not include any funding for Ukraine aid despite receiving bipartisan support. House and Senate Republicans also originally hoped to include funding for border security, but that was dropped as lawmakers opted to refrain from attaching less relevant measures to the funding legislation.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) expects to receive a challenge to his Speakership from fellow Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). As part of the concessions given to members of his own party to secure the Speakership at the beginning of the 118th Congress, any member can file a motion to vacate against the Speaker. Rep. Gaetz indicated he intends to initiate that motion this week, citing the Speaker’s choice to work alongside Democrats. It is unclear how many supporters Rep. Gaetz will have in his quest to oust the Speaker, nor is it clear if House Democrats will opt to join the Freedom Caucus Republican in removing the Speaker.
The House will consider five suspension bills, including the Modernizing the Acquisition of Cybersecurity Experts Act of 2023 (H.R. 4502), allowing Federal agencies to establish educational requirements for certain cybersecurity positions in the competitive service. The House will vote on two FY 2024 Appropriations bills, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 4364) and the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act (H.R. 4394). The Senate will vote on the nominations of James O'Brien to be Assistant Secretary of State to European and Eurasian Affairs, Brendan Hurson to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland, and Susan DeClercq to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.
With the passing of Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY’s List, to serve the remainder of Feinstein’s term. The California primary for the seat is March 5; Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Katie Porter, and Rep. Barbara Lee are the front runners. Senate Democrats expect to swear in Laphonza Butler by the middle of the week.
For the remainder of the week, the Senate will hold several hearings, including a Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee nomination hearing for “Michael Whitaker to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration;” a Budget Committee hearing to “Examine the Costs of a Government Shutdown;” and a Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing “CHIPS and Science Implementation and Oversight.”
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