Congress’s Opportunity to Make Modern History

The idea of a government shutdown, which happens when Congress fails to pass the appropriations bills – either individually or part of a package – before the new fiscal year begins on October 1, has become all too normalized. In fact, Congress passing at least one of the 12 appropriations bills before its deadline is now considered a job well done. But this year, things can change.

Of the 12 appropriations bills, the House has passed 5 and the Senate has passed 7, with two more bills expected to clear the chamber this week. While this is a positive step forward, after Labor Day, Congress has only 11 joint days in session to act on the remaining bills, work out any differences between the two chambers, and send all the bills to the president for his signature.

Here’s a look at where the 12 appropriations bills stand:

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

• House: approved by full committee on 5/16
• Senate: passed on 8/1 as part of amended “minibus” (grouping of spending bills) by 92-6 vote

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

• House: approved by full committee on 5/17
• Senate: approved by full committee on 6/14

Defense

• House: passed on 6/28 by an 359-49 vote
• Senate: passed on 8/23 by an 85-7 vote, packaged with other domestic programs including the Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor Departments

Energy and Water Development

• House: passed on 6/8 by a vote of 235-179 as part of minibus
• Senate: passed on 6/25 as part of amended minibus by 86-5 vote

Financial Services and General Government

• House: approved by full committee on 6/13
• Senate: passed on 8/1 as part of amended minibus by 92-6 vote

Homeland Security

• House: approved by full committee on 7/25
• Senate: approved by full committee on 6/21

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

• House: passed on 7/19 by 217-199 vote as part of second minibus
• Senate: passed on 8/1 as part of amended minibus by 92-6 vote

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

• House: approved by full committee on 7/11
• Senate: passed on 8/23 by an 85-7 vote, packaged with defense spending

Legislative Branch

• House: passed on 6/8 by 235-179 vote as part of minibus
• Senate: passed on 6/25 as part of amended minibus by 86-5 vote

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies

• House: passed on 6/8 by 235-179 vote as part of minibus
• Senate: passed on 6/25 as part of amended minibus by 86-5 vote

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

• House: approved by full committee on 6/20
• Senate: approved by full committee on 6/21

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

• House: approved by full committee on 5/23
• Senate: passed on 8/1 as part of amended minibus by 92-6 vote

Importantly, Congress has recognized that the current system is broken and created a  Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. And thanks to the bipartisan leadership in the Senate by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), as well as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Congress could still make modern history by passing all appropriations bills by the October 1 deadline for the first time in nearly two decades.

Let’s revitalize this broken process by showing Congress we want this to be the norm. Click here to demand change from your member of Congress.

For an explainer on the appropriations process and budget cycle, click here.