Extending Gov’t Funding Through March 15th to Avoid a Shutdown on March 11th (H. Joint Res. 75)

What is H. Joint Res. 75?

(Updated March 21, 2022)

This bill was enacted on March 11, 2022

This bill — the Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2022 — would extend funding for the federal government at previously enacted levels through March 15, 2022, to prevent a partial government shutdown when the current funding extension lapses after March 11th. It would also extend the temporary emergency scheduling order placing fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Argument in favor

In the midst of domestic and international crises, Congress needs to ensure the federal government is funded to avoid a shutdown. Another short-term stopgap funding bill will give lawmakers four more days to pass the omnibus spending bill to fund the government for the rest of fiscal year 2022 in case the Senate isn’t able to immediately vote on the omnibus.

Argument opposed

Congress shouldn’t enact another short-term funding bill that will simply put the federal government in the same position next month. Lawmakers should stay in session until they’ve negotiated full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2022 even if there’s a short shutdown.

Impact

The federal government.

Cost of H. Joint Res. 75

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: This legislation was introduced to prevent a government shutdown from occurring after currently approved funding expires after March 11, 2022. While both chambers of Congress have negotiated a bipartisan omnibus appropriations bill to fund federal agencies for the rest of fiscal year 2022. Because provisions in the omnibus were still being negotiated as of Wednesday, March 9th, and Senate rules require unanimous consent to bypass procedural steps that would otherwise require multiple days of debate on a bill, Congress is considering this bill to enact in case the Senate can't gain unanimous consent.

Media:

• Bill Text