Congress Approves Third CR, Extending Federal Funding into Early March

January  18, 2024

On January 18, both the United States Senate and House of Representatives approved a continuing resolution (CR) that extends federal funding into March 2024, averting a possible government shutdown. This CR continues the 'laddered' approach, funding some federal agencies including the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration through March 1, 2024, and the remaining federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection through March 8, 2024. 
 
The CR continues funding at current levels for federal agencies. It includes a new provision that permits FAA to spend at a faster rate for specific activities, including hiring and training new air traffic controllers, for safety oversight, to maintain or improve air traffic services, and for mandatory pay increases. This CR, like the previous ones, does not contain controversial riders or any of the emergency spending requested for Israel, Ukraine, border security, disaster relief, firefighting, or childcare. 
 
The Senate was the first chamber to approve the CR with strong bipartisan support (77-18).  The CR then proceeded to the House of Representatives for consideration under a procedure that required two-thirds of the members present to vote in the affirmative. While Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was supportive of the CR, many conservative Republicans voted against the bill.  The final vote in the House was 314 to 108.
 
The temporary funding measure will now be sent to the President for his signature, which is expected to occur before federal funding for some agencies expires on January 19.