NEW CONTINUING RESOLUTION PASSED AND SIGNED

ECA Staff | 11/17/2023

Congress averted another shutdown of the U.S. government by passing a Continuing Resolution (CR) that set the funding deadlines on January 19th for four appropriations bills (including Energy and Water and military funding) and February 2nd for eight others. On Tuesday, the House voted 336-95 to pass the CR and the Senate passed it Wednesday night.  President Biden signed the CR late last night, successfully averting a shutdown.

The first deadline (January 19) includes the funding of DOE’s EM, NNSA, NE, LM, Office of Science and others (Energy and Water) along with Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-VA, and Transportation-HUD.

This CR is a bipartisan victory on behalf of new House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Members of the House passed this CR with 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans. This two-tiered funding plan has winners and losers from both sides. Senate leaders were incredibly committed to passing a CR to avoid a shutdown. This CR allows for Congress to regroup after the Thanksgiving holiday and continue talks on spending issues and controversial topics. 

This is the first time since calendar year 2012 that Congress hasn't set a December funding deadline. House Speaker Johnson has stated that this is the last time he would support a short-term funding measure. 

There are about 6 legislative days left for this year for Congress to undertake other business.  To read ECA,s summary on the current level of funding for Energy and Water (DOE funding) use this link. 

The National Defense Authorization Act is expected to pass prior to the end of the year and we are told the House and Senate conference committees are close to an agreement on the bill.

ECA will continue to provide updates on appropriations once Congress returns from Thanksgiving holiday.