Congress returned earlier this month to tackle one big topic, government funding. Through the last few weeks much of the debate has focused on passing a short-term, clean continuing resolution (CR) or including permanent extensions for enhanced advanced premium tax credits (eAPTCs). A “clean” CR would mean all programs that are currently funded would continue to be funded at their current levels.
However, the Democratic party is not willing to pass any funding legislation without including permanent extensions for the eAPTCs. eAPTCs are set to expire at the end of 2025. Without them, an estimated four million people would become uninsured after 2025.
What happens if a Continuing Resolution (CR) is not passed?
Congress is set to return this week, the week of September 29. However, no votes are currently scheduled. Without a bi-partisan agreement, the government will shut down on October 1.
Over the past 28 years, lawmakers have passed 138 CRs. In the past, CRs have varied in length from one day to six months. Without funding through the regular budget process, the threat of government shutdown becomes the top priority. During a shutdown, many federal government agencies and programs that rely on annual funding would be paused. In a 2022 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, agency officials stated that CRs create “administrative inefficiencies, limit hiring and travel, and day-to-day focus and planning.”
Encourage confidence to act
