What is a government shutdown and why do they happen?
Senate Republicans have warned that a new stop-gap funding measure could become necessary to avert another US government shutdown on 19 January 2024.
John Thune in political news
Days from government shutdown, Speaker Johnson may need short-term spending bill he previously opposed
Senate Republicans repeatedly said this week that a short-term spending bill may be necessary to keep the government open, a harsh reality for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is balancing a looming shutdown deadline with the demands of hardline Republicans. The last temporary spending bill Congress passed, in November, established a laddered schedule of funding deadlines, the first on Jan. 19 and the other on Feb. 2. On Sunday, members of Congress reached an agreement on a topline spending bill, but still have to negotiate four separate appropriations bills by Jan. 19 to keep the government open. As the first deadline approaches, members have expressed growing doubt on whether a shutdown can be avoided without another continuing
Senate Republican whip says Congress may need to pass short-term government funding bill into March
Senate Republican Whip John Thune said Congress may need to pass a short-term government funding bill – known as a continuing resolution – into the “March timeframe” in order to allow lawmakers enough time to process the 12 outstanding appropriations bills and avoid a shutdown.