Congress faces budget uncertainty during summer recess
As Congress begins its summer recess, concerns grow over its ability to pass a full-year budget by the end of September, with bipartisan cooperation needed to avoid a government shutdown.
Members of Congress may be away on summer recess, but they have left several unresolved issues in Washington, including a need to fund the government by the end of September.Despite control of both the White House and Congress, Republicans are skeptical they will be able to pass a full-year budget on time. To avoid a government shutdown, they may need another temporary budget, which requires bipartisan support. But tensions are high between both parties. Republicans worked alone in passing President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, cutting billions in funding for public media and foreign aid.Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are delaying confirmation of Trump’s nominees. Instead of unanimously agreeing on a nominee by voice vote, Democrats are demanding roll call votes, which could take days. Talks between the parties to expedite the process broke down before lawmakers left Washington.Republicans are considering changing Senate rules to speed up the process, but Democrats have also warned that if Republicans change the rules, they may withhold votes on spending bills and other legislation.In a letter, top Democrats in the House and Senate requested a meeting with their Republican counterparts this week, emphasizing the need to avoid a government shutdown. In a glimmer of hope last weekend, senators passed multiple bipartisan funding bills. “They must do more to ensure this process stays bipartisan in the fall,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “They cannot just keep caving to Donald Trump and Russell Vought when they try to kill bipartisan cooperation.””It is good, Mr. President, to have the Senate back on a regular order track on appropriations, and I will continue to work for a regular order process as we continue,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-N.D., said. “And I hope that Democrats will join us in that effort.” Adding to the party divide, lawmakers in both chambers have different approaches to approving a budget.Budget bills require 60 votes to pass the Senate. The Appropriations Committee has approved most spending bills on a bipartisan basis, hoping for a similar vote on the floor. However, the House is passing its bills on a party-line vote with lower funding levels, necessitating compromise between the chambers before final versions can be sent to the president’s desk. Congress has not passed a budget in over a year and has relied on temporary budget extensions since last September.Watch the latest coverage on the budget:
Members of Congress may be away on summer recess, but they have left several unresolved issues in Washington, including a need to fund the government by the end of September.
Despite control of both the White House and Congress, Republicans are skeptical they will be able to pass a full-year budget on time. To avoid a government shutdown, they may need another temporary budget, which requires bipartisan support.
But tensions are high between both parties. Republicans worked alone in passing President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, cutting billions in funding for public media and foreign aid.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are delaying confirmation of Trump’s nominees. Instead of unanimously agreeing on a nominee by voice vote, Democrats are demanding roll call votes, which could take days. Talks between the parties to expedite the process broke down before lawmakers left Washington.
Republicans are considering changing Senate rules to speed up the process, but Democrats have also warned that if Republicans change the rules, they may withhold votes on spending bills and other legislation.
In a letter, top Democrats in the House and Senate requested a meeting with their Republican counterparts this week, emphasizing the need to avoid a government shutdown. In a glimmer of hope last weekend, senators passed multiple bipartisan funding bills.
“They must do more to ensure this process stays bipartisan in the fall,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “They cannot just keep caving to Donald Trump and Russell Vought when they try to kill bipartisan cooperation.”
“It is good, Mr. President, to have the Senate back on a regular order track on appropriations, and I will continue to work for a regular order process as we continue,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-N.D., said. “And I hope that Democrats will join us in that effort.”
Adding to the party divide, lawmakers in both chambers have different approaches to approving a budget.
Budget bills require 60 votes to pass the Senate. The Appropriations Committee has approved most spending bills on a bipartisan basis, hoping for a similar vote on the floor. However, the House is passing its bills on a party-line vote with lower funding levels, necessitating compromise between the chambers before final versions can be sent to the president’s desk.
Congress has not passed a budget in over a year and has relied on temporary budget extensions since last September.
Watch the latest coverage on the budget:
