SUMMARY:  With government funding set to expire next Friday, March 1, for several NTEU-represented agencies and a week later on March 8 for the remaining agencies, Congress is running out of time to avoid another shutdown.

Government funding is set to expire Friday night, March 1, for several federal agencies unless Congress passes a continuing resolution (CR) or a final funding agreement.  NTEU agencies affected by this deadline are USDA, FDA, DOE, and NRC.  Funding for the remaining NTEU-represented agencies expires a week later on March 8, 2024. 

Although House and Senate appropriators have been negotiating over funding levels for the agencies and programs funded by the 12 appropriations bills for weeks, no final agreement has been reached.  At the same time, House conservative hardliners, frustrated with the top line spending agreement reached by Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), also fear that their controversial policy riders will be left out of the final bills and have suggested that Republicans should simply provoke a shutdown or enact a full-year CR to ensure a 1% cut in government spending.  Under last year’s debt-limit deal, there will be a 1% across-the-board spending cut for all agencies and programs if all 12 spending bills aren’t signed into law by April 30.

The House and Senate are both out of session this week, leaving limited days for Congress to act before the first funding deadline.  Moreover, the Senate must also address the impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas when they return to Washington next week.  Given the time constraints and the procedural hurdles that may stall quick action, it is possible that Congress will pass another short-term CR to provide additional time for appropriators to craft a final funding agreement. 

We must all remain engaged to ensure Congress acts to prevent a government shutdown and provide agencies with the funding necessary to meet their missions.  Click here to learn more.  I will keep you updated on any developments.