WASHINGTON, D.C. – The clock is ticking for congress to pass a stopgap funding bill that will keep the government open. If members can’t reach an agreement within the next couple of days, the government will shut down.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R- LA) said on Tuesday morning the measure will ensure the government will be funded through mid-March. Tuesday afternoon, Senate Democrats are pointing the finger at the Speaker for the funding measure’s delay. They said the Speaker is making an eleventh-hour demand which is keeping members from finalizing their work. The text of the continuing resolution (CR) has not been released yet but we’re told it could include additional dollars for agriculture and disaster relief.
When the government shuts down many essential services like public safety will not be impacted, but national parks and monuments, federal museums, air traffic control, federal research projects and other areas would be impacted.
Members on both sides of the aisle said they don’t want the government to shut down.
“We have an obligation to keep the government open,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R- NY). “We need to make sure our troops get their paychecks, our border patrol get their paychecks the VA employees, the nurses the doctors they need to be continued to be compensated for their work and keep the government we pay way too much for is functional so the American people don’t suffer.”
“I’m hoping we can get there even in the last couple of hours,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D- PA). “Get a deal that can be voted on and have enough votes so that people can leave here knowing that at a bare minimum the government will be funded. “
Speaker Johnson said the legislation could be released as early as Tuesday night.
