Temporary funding on the table as Congress scrambles to find path forward to fund government

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A continuing resolution (CR), a temporary funding measure passed by Congress to provide interim funding for federal agencies when the regular appropriations bills have not been enacted by the start of the fiscal year, is appearing more likely to avert a government shutdown next week.

This would be a blow to the staggered deadlines that Congress agreed upon last year for appropriations to make it across the finish line set for Jan. 19 and Feb. 2.

"We ought to allow some time to do some work on the other bills and, if there is a CR, maybe in the March timeframe," Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Tuesday.

In November, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated he was "done" with short-term funding patches, known as a CR, which would fund government agencies temporarily until a permanent deal for the year is passed – placing him at odds with Republican leaders in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday a CR would be the "obvious" route at this point.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday morning that congressional leaders "agree a shutdown would be a terrible way to start the year."

"Speaker Johnson and I are on the same page on that," he said. However, on many of the other policy