US POLITICS
When will Congress vote on 2024 budget? The key dates for the agreement
Another shutdown looms as Congress considers a $1.2 trillion spending package that could avert a funding lapse that would begin at the end of the week.
The threat of a government shutdown has defined the GOP majority in the House of Representatives.
Once again, a looming partial shutdown looms as Congress considers a $1.2 trillion funding proposal to keep critical agencies open if passed before the weekend. The fiscal year, which began on 1 October 2023, came and went without a 2024 budget for the US federal government. If Congress approves the funding proposal on the table, the members would have accomplished one of their most fundamental constitutional responsibilities five and a half months late.
A series of funding cliffs have forced lawmakers to pass smaller spending bills, often dividing agencies into different packages. Most recently, six bills were passed providing funding to several agencies through 31 September. The current package would provide funding for the House and Senate as well as the departments of
- Defense
- Homeland Security,
- Labor
- Health and Human Services
- Education
- State
The chances of the bill getting passed are uncertain. According to CNN, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has not committed to following the 72-hour reading period specified in the chamber’s regulations. If he complies with the rule, the funding for the agencies would stop at midnight on Friday. However, if he believes that he has enough votes before that time, he may consider it more beneficial to keep the government open rather than providing lawmakers with time to read the text.
However, members of the GOP caucus are already voicing their discontent with the bill and the prospect of forcing a vote before representatives and their staff have had sufficient time with the text.
Funding for Israel and Ukraine
One of the greatest sticking points in these negotiations has been over foreign policy and the sending of military assistance to the Israeli and Ukrainian governments.
The package includes funding for the State Department and Defense, which have been described as critical by the White House, with the Adminstration eager to send military aid to Israel and Ukraine. If the current text is passed, Israel would receive half a billion dollars for “defensive equipment.” The White House’s policy towards Israel as the assault on Gaza continues has been harshly attacked by human rights activists and the millions of citizens who have taken to the streets demanding a ceasefire and respect for the rights to self-determination of the Palestinian people.
A total of $300 million has been earmarked for military assistance for Ukraine. Democrats have been clear that they expect funding for Ukraine to be included and have taken GOP leadership to task over the fact that a bill with funding has taken so long to be proposed.
Speaker Johnson has made clear that he intends to keep the government open, but whether his conference will give the votes needed to do so will be seen as debate continues on Capitol Hill.