Federal Funding Extended to March

President Biden signed stopgap legislation last week that funds federal agencies at current levels until the first week of March, buying time to finalize appropriations for fiscal year 2024.

The Senate approved the legislation on a 77-18 vote and the House followed suit on a 314-108 vote, with all but two of the no votes from Republicans. Though congressional leaders have agreed to topline spending limits for defense and non-defense programs, appropriators have yet to announce how these funds will be allocated across the 12 bills that together fund the government.

House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-TX) also stated last week that Republicans are committed to “fighting for meaningful policy changes” to be incorporated into the legislation, while Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) stated the legislation should exclude any “partisan poison pills.”