Republican victories in both the presidential election and the Senate are reshaping the landscape of government funding, as Congress prepares for a showdown over federal spending upon their return next week. The increasing possibility of Republican dominance in Washington puts GOP leaders in a prime position to decide whether to complete their annual funding work this year or extend the current Dec. 20 shutdown deadline into next year, when President-elect Trump assumes office. While a short-term stopgap measure would give a potentially GOP-controlled Congress and a Republican president more influence over the government’s funding for much of 2025, it could also result in a packed agenda during the early months of Trump’s presidency. Republicans are expected to control 53 Senate seats, with Trump’s victory in the White House solidifying their position. The control of the House remains uncertain, but Republicans are optimistic about maintaining their narrow majority. Congress has until Dec. 20 to pass legislation to avoid a government shutdown before the holidays, but time is running out for both parties to reach a compromise. Discussions have hinted at the likelihood of another stopgap measure during the lame-duck period, 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 how discretionary funds are spent and expressed hope for a smooth conclusion to the year. Conversations on government funding duration may be impacted by the selection of McConnell’s successor as GOP leader, as well as the ambitious plans Republicans are outlining for Trump’s first 100 days in office. The question of extending government funding emerged as a central issue in negotiations leading up to the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline, with various factions within the Republican party expressing differing opinions. Concerns about avoiding an omnibus funding package and providing Trump with a say in government funding decisions have influenced discussions over the timeline of funding extension. The upcoming weeks are likely to see continued debate and potential challenges as both parties seek to prevent a government shutdown. “Vamos a brindar ayuda a las comunidades devastadas por los huracanes Helen y Milton y otros desastres recientes. Sin embargo, se detuvo antes de proporcionar más detalles sobre cómo la administración evitará un cierre el próximo mes, ya que quedan preguntas sobre cómo se abordarán la financiación gubernamental y la ayuda en caso de desastre antes de que el Congreso inicie una nueva sesión en enero. La representante Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), la principal demócrata del Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara, dijo el jueves que el Congreso debería aprobar un proyecto de ley este año que cubra la mayor parte de 2025. “No importa quién esté en la Casa Blanca o quién controle la Cámara y el Senado. Estrechos márgenes en la Cámara el próximo año, y la falta de una súper mayoría para los republicanos en el Senado, significan que demócratas y republicanos todavía tendrán que trabajar juntos si queremos aprobar proyectos de financiamiento”, dijo. “Ya sea que lo hagamos ahora o esperemos hasta el próximo año, ninguna cámara o partido político puede actuar solo para financiar los programas y servicios en los que los trabajadores estadounidenses dependen. Dejar todo nuestro trabajo para enero es un error.” Fuente: enlace”
