Congress Pushes Another Stopgap Bill To Prevent Shutdown

With the clock ticking toward yet another potential government shutdown, congressional leaders unveiled a massive stopgap bill on Tuesday designed to keep the lights on in Washington. Known as a continuing resolution (CR), the bill would fund various departments through March 2025 and allocate over $100 billion in disaster relief. But the legislation, spanning an eye-popping 1,547 pages, has sparked criticism from conservative lawmakers and watchdog groups.

The CR contains a grab bag of provisions, including:

• A one-year extension of the farm bill.

• Reforms to pharmacy benefit management.

• Funds for submarine programs.

• A provision transferring jurisdiction of RFK Stadium to Washington, D.C.

It also designates money to rebuild Maryland’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, damaged in a ship collision.

While House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) described the CR as “simple” yet “important,” others have taken issue with its rushed nature and excessive spending. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) criticized the bill’s length, its “billions in reckless and unpaid spending,” and the lack of time to scrutinize its provisions, calling the process emblematic of Washington dysfunction.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), however, celebrated the measure for avoiding spending cuts and advancing Democrat priorities, including “millions for child care” and workforce training programs.

Adding to the drama is the release of the “Disaster Offset and Government Efficiency Act,” or DOGE Act, which seeks to curb excessive spending. The House Freedom Caucus has demanded a 72-hour review period for the CR and a vote on the DOGE Act to cut non-defense spending by 13%, returning it to pre-pandemic levels.

Another sticking point is the Biden administration’s sale of border wall materials, a move that has drawn sharp rebukes from conservatives. Former President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post, lambasted the sales, describing them as “CRAZY” and warning that replacing the wall would cost three times the original price.

With the GOP controlling the House, some conservatives hope the era of reliance on CRs and unchecked spending may soon end. However, whether the bill passes before Friday’s deadline remains a nail-biter, with familiar political tensions threatening to boil over.

Congressional gridlock and overspending have become a hallmark of Washington dysfunction. Americans deserve accountability not endless stopgap measures that kick the can down the road.

Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.