As lawmakers scramble to secure crucial funding for FEMA in the wake of Hurricane Helene, a looming Christmas shutdown threatens to cast a shadow over the holiday season amidst ongoing appropriations struggles on Capitol Hill.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports on the alarmingly low funding levels at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Amidst bipartisan efforts to avert a government shutdown in late September, a stopgap spending measure extended government operations through December 20th, providing a temporary respite from financial uncertainty.
However, with the approach of Christmas, the looming threat of another shutdown hangs over Capitol Hill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) acknowledges the precarious situation, stating, "Why have we picked Dec. 20th? Because it's the same reason we always have [with] Dec. 20th. Everybody up here is human."
Congress Warns of Looming Christmas Shutdown as FEMA Funding Concerns Mount
Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) alleges that the timing of the spending deadline is strategically chosen to maximize leverage over members, allowing leadership to wrestle votes for spending plans to avoid a holiday shutdown. He further claims that previous House speakers have threatened members with spending Christmas in Washington if they don't vote for the necessary measures.
Amidst the jet fumes permeating the Capitol in mid-December as lawmakers navigate the funding quagmire, the question remains: how long will another interim spending plan run? Deep into 2025? Perhaps late March as some conservatives advocate? Or will lawmakers finally reach an agreement on the 12 annual spending bills?
Congress Warns of Looming Christmas Shutdown as FEMA Funding Concerns Mount
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has ruled out an "omnibus" approach, which combines multiple spending measures into a single bill. Instead, he has suggested "minibuses," which would bundle smaller groups of spending bills together. However, the length of any such plan hinges heavily on the electoral outcomes of the upcoming midterm elections and the identity of the president-elect.
While the Democrat-controlled Senate has yet to advance any spending bills this year, the Republican-led House has approved five appropriations measures. However, House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) laments the legislative roadblocks encountered due to his own GOP colleagues, stating that "the majority ought to be governing."
Congress Warns of Looming Christmas Shutdown as FEMA Funding Concerns Mount
Despite the September deadline being successfully navigated, Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas) warns against "a crazy, massive omnibus train" as a solution. He underscores the need for a well-considered approach, particularly with the imminent necessity of boosting FEMA funding and addressing Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The potential for a post-election Democratic resistance to any Republican spending initiatives looms large. If Democrats cede ground in both the Senate and the House and lose the presidency, their motivation to collaborate on spending bills may wane, potentially launching the potential second term of former President Donald Trump amidst a government shutdown.
Congress Warns of Looming Christmas Shutdown as FEMA Funding Concerns Mount
House Speaker Johnson treads a precarious path as he seeks to fund the government, navigate crises, appease conservative grumblings, and maintain his own power. A misstep could jeopardize his status in the speaker election on January 3rd should Republicans retain the majority.
The right play for Johnson remains elusive. His previous attempt to appease the right with a voter identification requirement in last month's spending plan failed to gain traction within the House Republican Conference. While the interim spending bill passed in September with minimal fanfare, actual Christmas celebrations may face an uphill battle.
For the denizens of Capitol Hill, Christmas has seemingly come early in September with the avoidance of a government shutdown. However, as the holiday season approaches, a harrowing nightmare may be in store.
