Congressional Leaders Strike Deal to Avoid Partial Shutdown

On February 28, 2024, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and other members of House and Senate leadership released a statement announcing an agreement to vote on six of the 12 full-year appropriations bills that were set to expire on March 1 and March 8. The House and Senate passed a fourth continuing resolution on February 29 to provide adequate time for the Appropriations Committees to prepare the bills and allow Members of Congress 72 hours to review the language.

The continuing resolution used a bifurcated structure with some bills expiring on March 8 and others expiring on March 22. The six-bill package to be voted on before March 8 includes funding for Agriculture-FDA; Commerce-Justice and Science; Energy and Water Development; Interior; Military Construction-VA; and Transportation-HUD appropriations bills. Congressional leaders expect the six remaining appropriations bills, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies bill, to be voted on and passed prior to the new March 22 deadline.