Congress approved a tiered continuing resolution on November 15 to avert a second threat of federal government shutdown this year. Unlike previous extensions that covered all department budgets, the continuing resolution separates funding into two tiers, with some federal agencies, such as Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and energy and water programs funded through January 19, 2024, and others, such as Defense, through February 2.

This action was necessary following their approval of a 45-day continuing resolution on September 30 to avert a federal government shutdown at the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. The bi-partisan compromise was controversial in the House and ultimately resulted in a change in House Speaker on October 3.

Like the September resolution, this funding bill passed with bi-partisan approval, but is controversial in the House. The vote was 336-95 in the House and 87-11 in the Senate. If Congress does not pass the appropriations bills by April 30, 2024, federal law will impose an across-the-board one percent federal budget reduction.

See NLC’s article for more details.