September Focus on Continuing Resolution Likely to Mask Broader Budget Discussions
When Congress returns on September 9, it will need to reach a relatively quick agreement on a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund government programs starting on October 1 (the beginning of the new fiscal year).
Despite the urgency and the seeming consensus that “a government shutdown ahead of an election is a really bad idea,” I would be surprised if September goes smoothly. Here’s why:
the House has only thirteen days of session scheduled in September, while the Senate has fifteen days scheduled. We are also hearing that many House members would like to start recess on September 20 (to go home to campaign). That would chop a few more days of the House’s already short window for action
pre-election recesses, especially in presidential years, are often caught up in political maneuvering. If you perceive your party is ahead–maybe you don’t want to adjourn quickly and give the other party more time to campaign. This year, if House Republicans start to panic, then there may be calls to adjourn even sooner than September 20
it is unpredictable whether the House Freedom Caucus might improbably decide that slowing the process gives them leverage in negotiations–especially if they see the possibility of passing a CR that is “not clean” and favors HFC positions
there will likely be division within Congress as to whether a supplemental spending bill needs to move at the same time as the CR
there is known division within Congress as to whether the CR should continue only until after the election or into the new year (this also ties into the perception of election outcomes)
Appropriations Committee leadership is sincere in their desire to pass appropriations bills sooner rather than later and may still hope that some of them become law before the new fiscal year
Despite all that focus on the CR, the larger budget issues will still be driving discussion throughout the month. After all, a CR is just a temporary (and somewhat uncomfortable) truce in a war between different visions of total spending, spending priorities (notably but not exclusively between defense and non-defense spending), deficit reduction, and the role of appropriations riders shaping policy in areas that are not primarily (or at all) about spending.
Ultimately, that is why an outcome (the CR) that is seemingly obvious, in the common good, and benefits both parties not to fight over pre-election….will take longer and be harder than it should. CR issues are just surrogates for the larger issues.
Enjoy the remainder of the summer, stay cool, and remember that FDA needs your support year-round. In that spirit, we will not be taking August off and hope you see the FDA’s cause in the same urgent light.
Editorial Note:
The Analysis and Commentary section is written by Steven Grossman, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA.