Appropriators Face March 14 Spending Deadline With Significant Obstacles Still in the Way
By Hugh T. Ferguson, NASFAA Managing Editor
As a months-long funding extension comes to a close, Congressional leaders continue to remain far apart on policy riders and final spending levels for fiscal year (FY) 2025. If an agreement is not reached before March 14, the federal government, including the Department of Education (ED), could be facing a shutdown.
Currently, the federal government operates under a continuing resolution (CR), which funds programs at FY 2024 levels. This stop-gap temporary measure was meant to give Congress more time to reach an agreement after negotiations stalled last session.
Negotiations over spending levels for the remainder of FY 2025 are taking place under a Republican-led Congress, but due to slim majorities in both the House and Senate, support from Democrats will likely be needed to ultimately advance legislation.
The need for bipartisan, bicameral legislation stems from the 60-vote threshold needed in the Senate, and a large portion of House Republicans who typically vote against short-term extensions and spending agreements that garner bipartisan support in the Senate, requiring leadership to rely on votes from Democrats.
However, Republicans and Democrats are currently at odds over President Donald Trump’s use of executive authority. Democrats are specifically calling for any agreement to include language that would reign in the administration’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), which has made broad cuts to previous funding levels that were congressionally approved. Republicans have so far rejected any provisions to limit the White House’s authority.
Due to this standoff, some Republican leaders have floated the possibility of putting forward a year-long CR that would fund the government at FY 2024 levels through September 30, 2025. While it remains unclear whether a year-long CR would have the votes to reach the White House, Congress must take some sort of action before the current March 14 deadline to avoid a government shutdown
Stay tuned to Today’s News for the latest updates on spending negotiations for fiscal year 2025.
Publication Date: 3/3/2025
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