House Speaker Mike Johnson has presented a two-phase strategy to maintain government operations.
His proposal, titled the ‘Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act of 2024,’ indicates that the majority of funding will expire on February 2, with some funds ceasing on January 19.
Reports suggest that this approach would necessitate negotiations in the House and Senate over 12 individual bills for government funding, rather than a single comprehensive funding package.
The January 19 deadline applies to government funding programs and agencies governed by standard appropriations bills, which include sectors such as agriculture, rural development, the Food and Drug Administration, transportation, housing, and urban development.
Other programs have deadlines extending into 2024, such as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which is set to expire on September 30, 2024.
Johnson articulated that this plan aims to ‘advocate for conservative achievements’ by emphasizing ‘fiscal responsibility’ and ‘significant reforms’ regarding the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and support for Ukraine.
‘This two-step continuing resolution is an essential measure to position House Republicans favorably in their pursuit of conservative successes,’ Johnson stated. ‘
The legislation will eliminate the unreasonable practice of introducing extensive, loaded spending bills just before the holiday recess. By decoupling the continuing resolution from the supplemental funding discussions, we enhance our conference’s ability to advocate for fiscal responsibility, oversight of Ukraine assistance, and substantial policy reforms at our southern border.
The legislation does not allocate any funds for Ukraine or Israel, as the House has already proposed a $14.5 billion aid package for Israel in response to the October 7 attack by the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas.
Reports indicate that Senate Democrats are unlikely to endorse the bill, with one senator describing it as ‘extremely complicated’ and asserting that examining such ‘nonsense’ would be a misuse of taxpayer funds.
‘We intend to pass a straightforward short-term continuing resolution. The only issue is whether we approach it recklessly and disastrously or handle it maturely. There is nothing inherently conservative about complicating simple matters, and all this nonsense incurs costs to taxpayers,’ stated Democratic Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii.
The recently appointed GOP House Speaker garnered attention last week when it was disclosed that his financial situation starkly contrasts with that of his predecessors, who possessed assets in the millions and were engaged in stock trading.
Johnson’s most recent annual financial disclosure report, submitted in August, indicates that he does not hold any stocks and has only three liabilities: a home mortgage of up to $500,000 from 2013, a personal loan of up to $50,000 from 2016, and a home equity line of credit of up to $50,000 obtained in 2019.
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