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Bipartisan Bill Aims to Keep the Federal Government Open for 12 Months

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 14:02 GMT by Wall Street Journal

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A Deep Dive into the Government‑Shutdown‑Avoidance Bill: What You Need to Know

On Friday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced a new bill designed to keep the federal government open for the next 12 months, sidestepping the looming risk of a shutdown that had been in the news for weeks. The measure – which is already on its way to the Senate floor – represents a compromise between the two parties that balances fiscal restraint with a commitment to essential services. Here’s a comprehensive summary of the deal, the political context that produced it, the key provisions that will shape the next fiscal year, and what this means for everyday Americans.

1. The Context: A Near‑Break‑Even Budget Fight

The United States is set to run out of money on July 1 unless Congress acts to extend or replace the existing funding. The debate has escalated from a procedural standoff in the House to an impasse that could cripple federal agencies ranging from the Department of Homeland Security to the Smithsonian. Over the last month, the Senate and the House have exchanged a handful of proposals, each with its own set of priorities – from infrastructure to climate policy – but none have achieved the bipartisan support needed for a timely vote.

The current proposal, which is titled the Government‑Shutdown‑Avoidance Act of 2024, was drafted by a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats, many of whom were looking to preserve their seats in an election year. It came after a series of last‑minute negotiations that saw the removal of a handful of controversial rider proposals – such as a broad “de‑bribery” clause that would have expanded investigations of foreign influence, and a controversial “moral policy” provision that could have affected federal civil‑service hiring.

2. Core Provisions of the Bill

The bill is a “clean‑sheet” budget, meaning it starts from scratch rather than building on a previous CR. This approach allows lawmakers to make fresh allocations without having to reconcile with prior, sometimes outdated, spending commitments.

3. The Political Mechanics

House Momentum

The bill was first introduced in the House on Thursday by Rep. John Smith (R‑TX) and Rep. Maria Lopez (D‑CA), both of whom hail from states that are particularly vulnerable to a shutdown’s economic fallout. After an overnight caucus meeting, the bill was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee with a 30‑2 vote, showing the depth of bipartisan cooperation. The vote was the most cross‑party in the committee’s recent history.

Senate Strategy

The Senate side of the equation remains in flux. The bill will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where the Democratic majority must wrestle with a small group of hard‑line Republicans who have demanded “moral” rider clauses. Senator Mark Harris (R‑CA) is pushing for a “non‑proliferation” rider that would require increased oversight of private‑sector technology firms. He argues that the bill should be a “security‑first” approach.

In response, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is leveraging his recent victory in the special election in New York to negotiate concessions. Schumer has already signaled that he will use his “budgetary leverage” to secure at least a 2% increase in the “energy‑security” allocation, which could prove critical for the administration’s climate agenda.

4. The Stakes for Voters

A government shutdown can have far‑reaching consequences: delayed paychecks for federal employees, reduced access to federal services (like the SSA and IRS), and a potential slowdown of the broader economy. For voters in swing states, the shutdown risk can influence campaign rhetoric. For instance, Rep. Lopez has been urging the President to sign the bill immediately, while the opposition is focusing on the “budgetary irresponsibility” of the proposal.

In the current climate, the bill’s impact on local economies can be immediate. For instance, the $70‑billion infrastructure allocation could create up to 40,000 jobs in construction over the next two years. On the other hand, the absence of a “moral” rider may be viewed by some as a sign that the bill is too “soft” on security concerns.

5. Potential Challenges and Criticisms

Fiscal Concerns

While the bill promises to avoid an immediate shutdown, critics argue that it may set a dangerous precedent. The bipartisan “no new debt” clause could be a short‑sighted solution that ignores underlying deficits, especially given the ongoing rise in national debt.

Transparency and Oversight

The new independent oversight commission is meant to address this, but skeptics question whether an “independent” body can truly hold the federal bureaucracy accountable. Critics also highlight that oversight mechanisms often require significant resources to be effective, which may be limited by the fiscal constraints embedded in the bill.

Political Posturing

Another major criticism is that the bill is more about politics than policy. “The focus is on avoiding a negative headline” says a former congressional aide who asked to remain anonymous. Critics argue that the concessions made to secure bipartisan support dilute the bill’s effectiveness on key priorities such as climate and healthcare.

6. Next Steps

Once the Senate approves the bill, it will go to the President for signature. The current timeline shows that the bill will be on the floor for a vote in the Senate by next week. The administration has already indicated it will sign as soon as possible, provided the bill stays within the “no new debt” clause. If the Senate fails to approve the bill in time, a last‑minute “continuing resolution” may still be needed, though it could carry a more contentious set of riders.

7. Conclusion

The Government‑Shutdown‑Avoidance Act of 2024 represents a complex balancing act between fiscal restraint and political pragmatism. While it promises to keep federal agencies open and maintain essential services for the next 12 months, it does so by sidestepping several controversial policy riders and limiting new debt. As the bill heads to the Senate floor, its fate will hinge on the political will to navigate the fine line between preserving the government’s operations and addressing the underlying budgetary and policy concerns that have long plagued Congress.

For voters, the outcome of this legislative battle will shape not just the next fiscal year, but also how the federal government prioritizes infrastructure, climate action, and defense. It remains a story that is worth watching closely, because the decisions made today will have ripple effects for years to come.