Most of the work being done in Congress this week relates to the budget as lawmakers try to avoid a government shutdown after September 30. Congressman Fred Upton tells us the U.S. House did all of its work on approving spending bills, but the Senate has not. That means the government will be funded with a continuing resolution, or CR, after the end of the fiscal year.
“The CR funds virtually every governmental department at exactly the same funding level as the previous fiscal year,” Upton said. “So, no increases and no decreases. The president has asked for some increases for Ukraine, for COVID, and for monkeypox. Those negotations are going on. I don;t think they’re going to be able to complete those negotiations before the end of the week.”
Upton says congressional leaders will have to “put pen to paper” next week. The continuing resolution would likely remain in effect through mid December. He believes the House will flip to Republican control after the midterms, and the leadership will want to wait for a new budget until after the new members are seated in January. That will mean another continuing spending resolution in December.
