Potential Partial Government Shutdown Looms at Week’s End

We continue working to provide meaningful disaster relief for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) on X, commenting on a potential sticking point for the current funding bill that lawmakers must pass by midnight Friday to keep the government open.

Why It Matters: Without an agreement on issues like this (funding for American farmers), a continuing resolution or temporary funding bill will not allow the federal government to continue to operate after December 20th. Sen. Hoeven wants more disaster funding for farmers and says he does not have Democratic support; Democrats say Republicans rejected a previous offer and want to increase spending and take funds from current disaster relief spending. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. David Scott (D-GA) said, “We can and should do both economic and disaster assistance, not pit one against the other.”

In recent years, these continuing resolutions have funded the government in a patchwork, in lieu of a larger spending bill/budget to follow for a longer period of time.

Read More: Lawmakers struggle to reach deal to avert government shutdown (The Hill)