Congress returns to the Capitol today to begin a long week of work before the Thanksgiving break. There are roughly 11 working days before the next continuing resolution (CR) runs out on December 11th so Congress continues to consider their options for completing FY 2015 appropriations. House and Senate Republican leaders keep insisting they don’t want another government shutdown, but rank-and-file members continue to look for ways to oppose President Obama’s executive actions on immigration and environmental policies. This caustic political environment is eerily similar to the one that led to last year’s government shutdown.
So far, House and Senate appropriators insist they are making headway in writing a FY 2015 omnibus spending package that they hope to have ready for the floors by the week of December 8th. That won’t leave lawmakers much time to complete their work so options are also being considered, such as another short-term CR – for a week or so – to allow lawmakers time to vote on the omnibus, a year-long CR to fund government through September 2015, or a shutdown to force the President to take action (or not take action) on certain policies. Unfortunately, we won’t know which way they are leaning until after Thanksgiving.
In other budget news, last week the House GOP considered lifting the ban on earmarks. They had their most extensive debate in years over reviving earmarks for states, local governments, public utilities, or other public entities, but ultimately they decided to keep the ban that has been in place since 2011. The debate suggests there is some interest in returning to earmarks that some appropriators believe would help move the annual spending bills. Under current House rules, appropriations bills can include specific line-item spending projects as long as the President includes it in his budget. At least for now, earmarks will be off the table for the 114th Congress.