A growing dispute has surfaced among Republicans in Congress regarding how long a stopgap spending bill should extend as part of efforts to end the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. While Republicans have been urging Democrats to agree to reopen the government for weeks, internal disagreements over the bill’s duration are intensifying behind the scenes. A consensus exists that the existing House-passed bill, which funds the government only until November 21, is too short to allow adequate time for settling the remaining funding issues of the fiscal year. However, leading GOP negotiators remain divided over whether the continuing resolution (CR) should run until just before Christmas or extend into the new year.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins advocates for a shorter end date before Christmas, aiming to preserve appropriators’ influence and prevent a full-year continuing resolution that would maintain government operations at Biden-era spending levels through September 2026. Conversely, House Speaker Mike Johnson and conservative members favor extending the CR into January, viewing a longer bill as a safer route to avoid last-minute omnibus spending packages that have historically proved controversial.
The split has sparked pointed discussions within the Senate GOP, highlighted during a lengthy Republican policy luncheon where several senators voiced support for a December deadline, including John Hoeven and Jerry Moran. Meanwhile, proponents for a January end date, including Rick Scott and Eric Schmitt, emphasized the pragmatic need for more time. John Kennedy acknowledged the complexity of the debate, saying the White House appears indifferent about the final date and that there are valid reasons supporting both options.
Tensions flared during meetings, with Senator Katie Britt expressing frustration over limited opportunities to voice her views despite her active role in negotiations aiming to reopen the government. This drew a sharp response from Senate GOP Steering Committee chair Rick Scott, who took Britt’s remarks personally, creating further acrimony.
While Senator Thune remains noncommittal but leans toward a January extension, Johnson openly rejects delaying past December, citing the party’s aversion to Christmas omnibus bills and the risks they entail. Some Republicans are exploring a compromise deadline around mid-December, such as December 12, to balance appropriators’ concerns with conservative apprehensions.
Current bipartisan talks focus on passing a short-term CR paired with funding packages for key government sectors including military construction, veterans affairs, agriculture, and the legislative branch, along with provisions to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Though progress has been made in preliminary discussions, lawmakers acknowledge more time is needed to finalize an agreement.
Meanwhile, the shutdown’s impact deepens, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning that extended furloughs of air traffic controllers could force widespread flight delays and airspace closures, underscoring urgent need for resolution. Senate Democrats, divided over the path forward, held an unusually extensive weekly caucus meeting to weigh options amid mounting public and economic pressure.
No Comment! Be the first one.