Funding the Gov’t for One Day to Avoid a Shutdown While Congress Considers a COVID Relief & Appropriations Package (H. Joint Res. 110)

What is H. Joint Res. 110?

(Updated February 3, 2022)

This bill was enacted on December 20, 2020

This continuing resolution would extend funding for the federal government at current levels for one day from the current deadline of Sunday, December 20, 2020, to Monday, December 21, 2020.

Argument in favor

In an ideal world, Congress would pass funding for FY2021 on time without needing a fourth continuing resolution in two and a half months to do its job and fund the government. However, lawmakers need one more day to finalize a coronavirus relief package and FY2021 appropriations, and this bill would avoid a brief partial government shutdown.

Argument opposed

While there may be bipartisan support for extending government for one day to avoid a shutdown, Congress should allow a partial government shutdown to occur Monday as a means of encouraging members to reach a compromise on appropriations for the rest of FY2021 and a coronavirus relief package.

Impact

The federal government.

Cost of H. Joint Res. 110

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In Depth: This is the fourth continuing resolution (CR) Congress has considered since fiscal year 2020 ended on September 30, 2020. Congress enacted a 10-week CR on September 30th that ran through December 11th; approved a one-week CR to extend funding through December 18th; and then adopted a two-day CR to prevent a shutdown through December 20th.

Of Note: Congressional leaders announced Sunday evening that they have reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on a $2.3 trillion package that includes $900 billion in coronavirus relief plus a $1.4 trillion omnibus appropriations package for FY2021.

The legislative text of the deal hasn't been made public and likely won't be final until Monday, so the House will vote this evening on a one-day continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a partial government shutdown from beginning at midnight. The Senate is expected to follow suit later Sunday night.

Lawmakers hope to have the legislative text ready Monday morning so that the House Rules Committee can prep it for floor consideration. The rule for the bill will include a one-week CR to extend funding while the omnibus and COVID-19 package are considered, processed, and formally enrolled. While the rule itself will only be considered by the House, the one-week CR would be sent to the Senate.

Floor consideration of the omnibus and coronavirus relief package is expected to begin on Monday, starting with the House. It's possible that the package could clear both chambers on Monday, although consideration on the Senate side could continue into Tuesday or Wednesday.

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