Schumer says bipartisan talks to avoid shutdown before Christmas 'on the right track'
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday indicated that bipartisan negotiations to avert the threat of a government shutdown this month are “on the right track,” but he warned against “divisive” provisions.
Schumer said from the Senate floor that both parties are “making progress negotiating on a bill that can pass the House and Senate with bipartisan support.”
“We need to keep divisive and unnecessary provisions out of any government funding extension, or else it will get harder to pass a [continuing resolution] in time,” he said. “For now, I’m pleased negotiations are on the right track, and I thank the appropriators in both chambers for their good work.”
Congress has until Dec. 20 to pass legislation to stave off a government funding lapse.
Lawmakers on both sides had hoped Congress would strike a larger deal hashing out full-year government funding for fiscal 2025 after the presidential election. But conservatives in both chambers have been dialing up pressure for a stopgap into next year — when President-elect Trump will assume office and can drive funding negotiations.
Some Republicans are hopeful of a stopgap into March, but there are concerns among defense hawks over what a potential funding freeze could mean for the Pentagon.
The expected funding bill has already been discussed as a potential vehicle for disaster relief funds. But lawmakers from states hit hard by hurricanes Helene and Milton are pressing congressional leadership for swift emergency relief as officials warn of dwindling cash.
In a letter to leaders last week, senators from North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia called on both chambers to “bring a robust supplemental appropriations bill to the floor the first week of December.”
“We have delayed too long already. We therefore request that Congress act immediately to provide for those in need,” GOP North Carolina Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis wrote in the letter, joined Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).