Despite some 11th hour complications and calls for a government shutdown by several in Congress, the 118th Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through March 14, 2025. FMA National President Craig Carter wrote every member of both the House and the Senate urging them to prevent a devastating shutdown mere days before the Christmas holiday.

Further work on Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations will be punted to the 119th Congress and President-elect Donald Trump. FY 2025 began on October 1, 2024, nearly three-and-a-half months ago. Legislators will need to be mindful to finalize full-year appropriations by the end of April 2025. Under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, if they pass into May 2025 under a CR, both defense and non-defense funding levels will be reduced by 1 percent.

FMA continues to urge Congress to provide full-year appropriations as soon as possible to give managers budget certainty and an opportunity to salvage planning for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025.