Republican victories in the presidential race and the Senate are impacting government funding discussions, as Congress prepares for potential battles over federal spending upon their return next week. The increasing possibility of Republican control in Washington is giving GOP leaders more influence in determining whether to complete their annual funding work before the Dec. 20 shutdown deadline or delay it until next year when President-elect Trump takes office. While a short-term stopgap measure could grant a potentially GOP-led Congress and Republican president more authority over government funding for much of 2025, it may also result in a busy agenda in the early months of the Trump administration, including addressing spending, the nation’s debt ceiling, and other top priorities. Republicans are likely to control 53 Senate seats, and Trump’s victory in the presidential election is definitive. The fate of the House majority remains uncertain, though Republicans are hopeful of retaining their narrow lead in the lower chamber. Congress has until Dec. 20 to pass legislation to avoid a government shutdown before the holidays, leaving little time for negotiations on both sides. A House GOP aide suggested that lawmakers will probably attempt another stopgap solution during the lame-duck session, along with a disaster relief package that includes funding for FEMA and the Small Business Administration. Outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell emphasized the importance of deciding on discretionary spending, expressing hope for a prompt resolution. However, discussions on wrapping up the year have not yet begun between McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Leadership races are scheduled in both the Senate and House next week to determine McConnell’s successor as GOP leader. The Republican agenda for Trump’s first 100 days is already taking shape, with plans to address the debt limit and extend tax cuts among other priorities. Trump has not indicated a preference for the timing of a government funding bill. The duration of government funding extension emerged as a central issue during negotiations before the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline, with various factions within the Republican party expressing concerns. The possibility of a Christmastime omnibus funding package is being met with resistance from Republicans in both chambers, wary of conceding to Democratic priorities. Despite their diminished leverage, Democrats‘ votes may still be necessary to pass government funding legislation, especially in the Senate. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the Biden administration will focus on finalizing spending matters, including disaster relief, in the remaining days of the current administration. „Wir werden Unterstützung für Gemeinden liefern, die von den Hurrikans Helen und Milton und anderen kürzlichen Katastrophen verwüstet wurden.“
Allerdings, sie hörte auf, weitere Einzelheiten darüber anzugeben, wie die Verwaltung einen Stillstand nächsten Monat verhindern würde, da Fragen darüber bestehen, wie die Regierungsförderung und die Katastrophenhilfe vor dem Eintritt eines neuen Parlaments im Januar angegangen werden.
Repräsentantin Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), die ranghöchste Demokratin im Repräsentantenhaus-Ausschuss für Haushaltsfragen, sagte am Donnerstag, dass der Kongress noch in diesem Jahr ein Gesetz verabschieden sollte, das den größten Teil von 2025 abdeckt.
„Es spielt keine Rolle, wer im Weißen Haus ist oder wer das Repräsentantenhaus und den Senat kontrolliert. Knappe Mehrheiten im Repräsentantenhaus nächstes Jahr – und das Fehlen einer großen Mehrheit für die Republikaner im Senat – bedeuten, dass Demokraten und Republikaner immer noch zusammenarbeiten müssen, wenn wir Haushaltsgesetze verabschieden wollen,“ sagte sie. „Ob wir es jetzt tun oder bis zum nächsten Jahr warten, keine einzelne Kammer oder politische Partei kann allein handeln, um die Programme und Dienstleistungen zu finanzieren, auf die die fleißigen Amerikaner angewiesen sind. Alles bis Januar zu verschieben, ist ein Fehler.“
Quelle: Link