Congress: Final Days and Final Deadlines

There are just eleven days left on the Congressional calendar to address a wide range of pressing issues before the holiday recess. The December 20 deadline for Congress to fund the government for fiscal year 2025 presents a critical moment, especially given the potential for a government shutdown if no agreement is reached. Here's a breakdown of the situation:

• With no agreement on agency funding bills, Congress will likely pass a continuing resolution maintaining the prior year’s funding levels through March, or possibly the full year, while legislators deliberate. 

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are among the legislation that must be reauthorized. 

• These issues, along with potential extension of telehealth benefits will take up floor time complicating the end-of-year legislative calendar. 

• In addition, Congress must raise or suspend the debt limit by January 2, 2025 to avoid default.  

Why it matters: All remaining priorities must fight for extremely limited Congressional floor time, including are fast tracked for passage.

Yes… but, the workforce bill has hit a snag in it’s final hour with Senator Casey (D-PA), who lost his reelection bid, objecting over the removal of disability exemption provisions that he championed. The long-awaited reauthorization of the Workforce innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) hangs in the balance.

For more on Congress and the Presidential transition, visit our Trump Transition Tracker.