The US Congress recently adopted an interim funding measure for the federal government to avoid a much-feared shutdown. This partial budgetary paralysis would have had harmful consequences on several government services. The adopted text extends funding for federal administrations until March 1, giving elected officials time to negotiate a long-term budget and define the details of spending.
Political discussions were intense to arrive at this interim financing measure in order to avoid a possible shutdown. With the arrival of heavy snowfall in Washington, the urgency of the situation increased, pushing American elected officials to vote quickly. This vote allows the government to continue operating normally until March, providing a transition period to develop a long-term budget.
This recurring inability of Congress to adopt a budget for the fiscal year once again highlights the institutional dysfunctions of the American system. Interim financing measures, such as the one adopted recently, are often used to avoid budgetary bottlenecks. This text was the result of intense negotiations between the Republicans, the majority in the House of Representatives, and the Democrats, the majority in the Senate.
The main disagreements between the two parties concern spending items. President Joe Biden has requested a supplemental budget of about $106 billion, primarily to help Ukraine and, to a lesser extent, Israel. If the leaders of both parties in the Senate support this request, certain Republican elected officials in the House of Representatives believe that this support is not in the interest of the United States.
Another sticking point concerns the influx of migrants at the border with Mexico. Both Republicans and Democrats agree on the existence of a crisis, but they differ on the solutions to adopt. The Republicans particularly want to limit the right to asylum and strengthen expulsion measures.
In short, the American Congress managed to avoid a shutdown by adopting a provisional financing text. This gives elected officials the time needed to negotiate a long-term budget and resolve differences over spending. This situation highlights problems with the functioning of the American political system and illustrates the differences of opinion between the parties on important issues such as foreign aid and immigration.