With one week remaining before the current continuing resolution (CR) funding the government expires, it is a near certainty Congress will attempt to pass still another CR that would extend through the remainer of Fiscal Year 2025.

Congressional appropriators are nearing the finish line on a deal on Fiscal Year 2025 spending, with House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) calling an agreement on topline numbers “imminent.” However, with less than a week remaining on the current CR, it is unlikely Congress will have the time to finalize subcommittee allocations for the twelve appropriations bills before the March 14 deadline, averting a government shutdown.

According to sources, one issue complicating matters is Democrats’ insistence on legislative language in the appropriations measures reaffirming Congress’ “power of the purse” via the appropriations process. Congressional Republicans are hesitant, suggesting that would limit President Trump’s priorities.

Additionally, Senate Republicans have suggested using the recissions process to formally claw back funding that has previously been appropriated, effectively providing congressional approval for the administration’s cuts to agency budgets. The recissions process requires a simple majority vote to pass, meaning it could pass without any Senate Democratic votes.