Congress Staves off Government Shutdown – For Now

After considerable angst and political bickering, the House and Senate approved, and President Trump signed another short-term spending fix that avoided a government shutdown on November 20 and extends current funding levels for federal programs through Dec. 20.

Congress returns from its Thanksgiving recess on December 3, leaving only 13 legislative days to resolve FY2020 spending bills that were due on September 30. While Congress has sidestepped yet another debilitating shutdown, congressional leaders lack a clear fiscal 2020 funding plan beyond December 20, with protracted fights over the president's border wall and other partisan priorities impeding progress on full-year appropriations bills. The ongoing House impeachment proceedings and a possible trial before the Senate further complicates a potential funding deal.