Public Policy Network

 

Members of Congress are anxious for a break to celebrate the holidays and recharge, but first they must extend government funding before it expires on Dec. 21. For the more than 70 members that won’t be returning next year, this is also their last chance to make their mark. This resulted is a 1,547-page bill that will fund the government through March 14, extend farm bill programs, allow an automatic pay raise for members of Congress, and provide more than $100 billion in disaster aid.

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Republicans are celebrating the election results as the party retained control of the U.S. House and gained control of the U.S. Senate and the Presidency. However, the razor thin two-seat majority (with three seats undecided as of the drafting of this update) will be a challenge.

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A recent study estimated that nearly $16 billion will be spent on federal elections this cycle. With 30 days until the election, candidates are making sure to use every last resource. That will come as no surprise for those in swing states enduring the endless ads and frequent campaign rallies. While the push to sway voters will continue through Election Day, campaigns are focusing much of their attention on assuring that identified supporters cast their vote. Get out the vote (GOTV) efforts are an essential element, especially in close elections where who turns out to vote often makes the difference.

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Government funding runs on a fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30. Ideally, Congress would have passed all twelve appropriations bills long before the deadline, but “regular order” has become rare and large omnibus funding bills the norm. 

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August recess is in full swing, and Congress is only scheduled to be in session for three more weeks until the November elections. During that limited time, government funding will be the primary focus and a continuing resolution is all but guaranteed to temporarily extend funding past Sept. 30.

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By summer of a Presidential Election Year, Congress becomes consumed with positioning themselves for success in November. The Senate and House this year will be in recess all of August and October campaigning.

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The first vote of the 118th Congress, for Speaker of the House, made it immediately clear that slim majorities are going to make things difficult. Small groups within and across parties will have outsized influence on nearly every vote—impacting important legislation—over the next two years. 

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