Republican victories in the presidential race and Senate are shifting the landscape for government funding as Congress prepares for a showdown over federal spending when lawmakers return next week. The increasing likelihood of Republican control in Washington is giving GOP leaders the power to decide whether to finish their annual funding work this year or push the current Dec. 20 shutdown deadline into next year when President-elect Trump takes office. This decision could impact the party’s agenda in the first months of Trump’s presidency, as they also need to address the nation’s debt ceiling and other key priorities. Republicans are expected to control 53 Senate seats, and Trump’s victory in the White House further solidifies their position. The deadline for passing legislation to prevent a government shutdown before the holidays is approaching, but lawmakers have yet to disclose their preferred plan. Discussions are ongoing about potentially passing another short-term stopgap measure during the lame-duck period, along with a disaster aid package. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell emphasized the importance of deciding how to spend discretionary money and finishing the year’s work. However, discussions about funding extension may also involve selecting a new GOP leader and considering the ambitious agenda for Trump’s first 100 days. The question of extending government funding emerged as a sticking point in negotiations ahead of the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline, with disagreements over the duration and level of funding. The ongoing intraparty rifts could present challenges in finding a solution to avoid a shutdown next month. While Republicans have ruled out a Christmastime omnibus funding package, Democratic votes may still be necessary to pass government funding. Speaker Mike Johnson has rejected the idea of omnibus or minibus packages, emphasizing the need to avoid past traditions. As the Biden administration focuses on tying up loose ends in spending, the upcoming days will be crucial for reaching a consensus on government funding and disaster relief. “Vamos a entregar asistencia para las comunidades devastadas por los huracanes Helen y Milton y otros desastres recientes. Sin embargo, se detuvo antes de proporcionar más detalles sobre cómo la administración evitaría un cierre el próximo mes, ya que quedan preguntas sobre cómo se abordarán la financiación del gobierno y la ayuda en caso de desastres antes de que el Congreso inicie una nueva sesión en enero. La representante Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), la principal demócrata en el Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara, dijo el jueves que el Congreso debería aprobar un proyecto de ley este año que cubra la mayor parte de 2025. “No importa quién esté en la Casa Blanca o quién controle la Cámara y el Senado. Los márgenes estrechos en la Cámara el próximo año, y la falta de una supermayoría para los republicanos en el Senado, significan que los demócratas y republicanos aún tendrán que trabajar juntos si queremos aprobar los proyectos de financiación”, dijo. “Ya sea que lo hagamos ahora o esperemos hasta el próximo año, ninguna cámara o partido político puede actuar solo para financiar los programas y servicios en los que los trabajadores estadounidenses confían. Dejar todo nuestro trabajo para enero es un error.”
