Senate Clears Short-Term Funding Patch

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) with broad bipartisan support and avoids shutdown drama just weeks before the election. The stopgap spending bill came together last week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin negotiated the deal to include trade relief for farmers and increased pandemic-related nutrition assistance. GFOA reported on the House passage of the CR as it also contained one year extensions for surface transportation funding and the National Flood Insurance Program.

Funding for the federal government however was only extended to December 11, which means Congress must address this before the end of the year but after the elections. It is uncertain whether another CR will be needed or if leaders will be able to secure a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the slate of appropriations bills for the rest of FY 2021.