Washington, D.C. – Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. unveiled a $1.2 trillion government funding package on Thursday as they race against time to pass the legislation before a shutdown deadline looming at the end of the week. The release of the more than 1,000-page legislative text has set the House and Senate on a tight schedule to secure funding for critical government operations by the end of the day on Friday, March 22. This includes funding for departments such as Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, State, and the legislative branch.
Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the bill’s focus on strengthening national defense and supporting military personnel. Despite a desire from both sides of the aisle to avoid a government shutdown, challenges remain as lawmakers work to secure enough votes for the legislation’s passage in both chambers. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged the urgency of the situation, expressing the need for bipartisan cooperation to meet the deadline.
The funding package includes allocations for Customs and Border Protection ($19.6 billion), the Department of Homeland Security (almost $90 billion in discretionary funding), and the Department of Defense ($824.3 billion). Additionally, the bill addresses key issues such as increasing special immigrant visas for Afghans and funding for Child Care and Head Start programs.
The current fiscal year began over five months ago, leading to a series of fiscal cliffs resulting from short-term funding extensions. Earlier this month, Congress passed a six-bill funding package for various departments and federal programs, signed into law by President Joe Biden. Now, lawmakers are on the cusp of finalizing the annual appropriations package with the latest round of government funding bills.
A temporary lapse in federal funding could occur, but its impact on government operations would likely be limited if funding is restored before the weekend. As Congress navigates the final stages of the appropriations process, the focus remains on avoiding a shutdown and ensuring the continuity of essential government services. This story continues to evolve with additional details shaping the outcome of the funding legislation.