In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump, while not yet inaugurated, influenced the fate of a bipartisan temporary spending bill. Garnering opposition via social media initiated by Elon Musk, the bill was blocked, showcasing the unusual impact of non-elected influential figures on legislative processes. Musk’s public criticism on the platform formerly known as Twitter swayed Trump, leading to a Republican-led opposition in the House. The bill’s collapse has left Congress in a scramble, with imminent deadlines forcing intense bipartisan negotiations.
The U.S. Constitution mandates that government expenditures must be sanctioned through laws—a process requiring approval from both the House and Senate and presidential endorsement. However, the procedural ideal seldom matches reality. The fiscal year 2023 saw no appropriations bills passed into law on time, a continuation of a troubling pattern. Although preliminary versions of six out of twelve appropriations were passed by the House, none reached the president’s desk.
Looking back, Congress has struggled to pass timely appropriations bills since 2019, when five bills were finalized, marking a rare success. Historically, Congress has only completed its appropriations tasks on time four times since the process was established in the 1970s. The norm has become reliance on continuing resolutions (CRs)—temporary funding measures that prevent government shutdowns but perpetuate inefficiency.
CRs extend previous fiscal policies, effectively delaying the introduction of desired changes and maintaining a status quo. These measures are a temporary fix, often leading to a rushed and problematic omnibus bill later in the fiscal year. The Government Accountability Office has noted inefficiencies in this system, compounded by the unpredictability of CRs. This last-minute budgeting fosters an atmosphere of urgency, occasionally leading to partial government shutdowns, as seen in 2018-2019.
Continuing resolutions have been employed almost annually since their inception. Their duration varies significantly, dictated by political circumstances and negotiations. The average lifespan of CRs since 1977 has been about 137 days, covering approximately one-third of the fiscal year. The prolonged nature of these temporary measures reflects deeper legislative challenges, where political strategy often overrides fiscal stewardship.
Efforts to pass regular appropriations face hurdles within Congress, where political maneuvering and partisan divides create gridlock. Notably, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s attempt to use a CR, aligning with Democrats, contributed to his removal by Republican colleagues, showing the complex dynamics at play.
The current political landscape necessitates bipartisan support to pass any comprehensive funding bill, highlighting the challenges facing Speaker Johnson following McCarthy’s ouster. Without significant cross-party cooperation, shutdowns become a looming threat, disrupting federal operations and economic stability. The possibility remains that without a permanent solution, the cycle of temporary measures and crisis-driven legislation will persist.
The ongoing issues with funding the U.S. government underscore a need for reform in the legislative process to ensure fiscal responsibility and stability.
