In an ideal world, Congress would pass funding for FY2021 on time without needing a third continuing resolution in two and a half months to do its job and fund the government. However, lawmakers need two more days to continue negotiations on FY2021 appropriations and a coronavirus relief package, and this bill would avoid a brief partial government shutdown.
While there may be bipartisan support for extending government for two days to avoid a shutdown, Congress should allow a partial government shutdown to occur over the weekend as a means of encouraging members to reach a compromise on appropriations for the rest of FY2021 and a coronavirus relief package.