Biden Signs Short-Term Spending Extension, Averts Government Shutdown
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
Both the House and Senate on Wednesday approved a short-term spending deal that would fund the federal government until mid-December. President Joe Biden signed the legislation into law on Thursday, averting a government shutdown.
The continuing resolution, passed by Congress, funds the federal government by extending current spending levels until December 20, past the 2024 presidential election. The Senate approved the continuing resolution in a 78-18 vote, and the House approved the resolution in a 341-82 vote.
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told POLITICO whoever is elected president is expected to influence whether Congress passes a final funding deal in December, or another short-term extension.
“That person, whether it’s Vice President Harris or former President Trump, will basically tell their side: ‘I want a deal,’ or ‘I want to handle it,’” Cole told POLITICO.
The continuing resolution funds most programs at the fiscal year 2024 levels, including the Department of Education (ED). Also, the continuing resolution did not have any added amendments impacting ED.
After the election, Congress will need to reconcile the House and Senate spending bills for 2025 or continue negotiations into the term which will also see a new presidential administration.
The Biden administration's fiscal year 2025 budget request included an elimination of origination fees on federal student loans and an increase to the maximum federal Pell Grant award of $750 through the appropriations process.
Stay tuned to Today’s News for more details and to get the latest information on the federal budget process, see NASFAA’s Federal Budget and Appropriations page and NASFAA’s budget FAQs.
Publication Date: 9/27/2024
You must be logged in to comment on this page.