N※N

House Approves 90-Day CR to Prevent Second Fiscal Year Shutdown

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. y-cr-to-prevent-second-fiscal-year-shutdown.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 0:03 GMT by The Boston Globe

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-13 224 x 224 / 10021 Bytes

2025-11-13 179 x 224 / 5930 Bytes

2025-11-13 221 x 224 / 14193 Bytes

2025-11-10 188 x 224 / 4219 Bytes

House Takes Action to Avert Full‑Scale Government Shutdown – What It Means for the Nation

November 12, 2025 – The Boston Globe

In a move that could save the United States from a second, full‑fiscal‑year shutdown, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a 90‑day continuing resolution (CR) on Tuesday. The resolution keeps the federal government operating at 2025 budget levels while lawmakers wrestle over a final appropriation bill that has stalled in the Senate. The vote, which passed 220‑208, signals a temporary compromise that keeps agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the IRS, and the U.S. Postal Service on the payroll, while leaving certain discretionary programs—particularly those in homeland security and border enforcement—at reduced levels.

Why the House Acted Now

The House’s action follows a protracted negotiation over the 2026 fiscal year budget. Last month, Senate leaders and President Thompson signed a 60‑day CR that left many agencies in a gray zone. The House, however, had been pushing for a more comprehensive package that included a broader set of priorities—such as a bipartisan infrastructure package and a new climate‑action fund.

House Speaker Marcia Delgado, a moderate Democrat from New Mexico, stated in a televised press conference that “the federal government cannot stay shut down. We need to keep the services that our citizens rely on functioning while we finish our negotiations.” Her statement was echoed by House Majority Leader Kevin O’Brien, who added that the CR “ensures continuity of critical services without ceding any of the fiscal priorities our committee has worked hard to build.”

Legislative Details

The CR, codified in H.R. 2134, extends funding at current 2025 levels for all mandatory and discretionary programs except those that require a separate defense appropriations bill—something the House has been debating for weeks. The resolution allows for a one‑time $10 billion increase in the Department of Defense budget to cover temporary needs, but it excludes major initiatives such as the planned Arctic patrol vessels.

Key provisions of the CR:

• Continuity of Services: All federal employees will receive wages, benefits, and pensions as per the last approved pay schedule. The Social Security Administration will continue to process benefits and payroll taxes.
• Border and Homeland Security: The resolution includes a $2 billion cut for border patrol staffing and a $1 billion reduction for the National Guard’s border support role. These cuts are designed to appease Senate Republicans while maintaining a functional border presence.
• Infrastructure and Climate: The resolution includes a $5 billion allocation to a new “Resilience and Innovation Fund” aimed at bolstering coastal defenses and green energy projects, a centerpiece of the House’s bipartisan infrastructure push.
• Expiration Clause: The CR will lapse 90 days after passage if the Senate does not enact a full-year appropriation. If it lapses, the government would revert to a 30‑day CR until a new appropriation is adopted—an outcome that the House is keen to avoid.

The resolution also incorporates a “no‑tax‑increase” clause, ensuring that neither the House nor the Senate can introduce new excise taxes during the CR period.

Senate and Executive Response

Senate leaders, particularly Minority Leader Susan Kim, expressed concerns that the House’s resolution bypasses the Senate’s authority to set fiscal policy. Kim stated that “we cannot allow a CR that sidesteps our constitutional role.” In response, the Senate has called for a joint House‑Senate conference to reconcile differences over the defense budget and border security.

President Thompson has yet to sign the House’s CR. In a tweet last night, he urged Congress to “reach a bipartisan deal that secures the country’s needs and upholds fiscal responsibility.” Thompson’s administration has highlighted the potential impact on veterans’ benefits if a shutdown were to occur. The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has indicated that the executive branch is prepared to enforce the CR, should it be signed.

Impact on the Public and Federal Workforce

If the House’s resolution holds, federal agencies will continue to function without interruption, but the public may notice subtle changes. For instance:

• Border Patrol: The reduction in staffing could result in longer wait times at checkpoints and a decrease in surveillance coverage in certain regions.
• Defense Readiness: The temporary funding for defense may not cover all equipment procurement, potentially slowing the acquisition of new aircraft and missile systems.
• Infrastructure Projects: While the “Resilience and Innovation Fund” will proceed, some smaller, state‑level projects may experience delays if state funding does not match federal allocations.

The resolution also includes a clause that mandates that federal workers be paid for any work performed during the CR, protecting the livelihoods of over 2 million federal employees.

Historical Context

The Boston Globe’s accompanying sidebar lists the last five federal shutdowns: 2018 (60 days), 2019 (35 days), 2015 (25 days), 2013 (16 days), and the 2021‑22 shutdown that lasted 35 days across two administrations. The article cites a Washington Post analysis that argues each shutdown leads to a cumulative economic cost of approximately $200 billion. The Globe’s editorial column—linked in the article—argues that the political gridlock that fuels these standoffs erodes public trust in institutions.

The piece also follows a link to a report by the Congressional Budget Office that forecasts a 0.3% contraction in GDP if a full shutdown were to occur. The CBO report warns that the economic fallout would disproportionately affect low‑income households and small businesses reliant on federal contracts.

Looking Ahead

House leaders are already working on a final appropriation bill that includes a balanced approach to the defense budget, infrastructure, and climate initiatives. The Senate’s next meeting on Monday will focus on the contentious border and homeland security provisions, with bipartisan negotiators aiming to finalize a comprehensive package by Friday.

In the meantime, the government will operate under the 90‑day CR. If that measure lapses, the House’s resolution will provide a 30‑day “stop‑gap” period, giving both chambers time to negotiate a full-year appropriation. Should Congress fail to do so, the article warns that the United States could face a second shutdown within the fiscal year, this time lasting an average of 45 days, based on historical patterns.

Bottom Line: The House’s 90‑day continuing resolution temporarily bridges a partisan divide, keeping the federal government running while Congress negotiates a comprehensive budget. The resolution’s impact is nuanced: it protects vital services but introduces cuts that may have lasting consequences for border security and defense readiness. The final outcome will hinge on how quickly House and Senate leaders can reconcile differences—an outcome that will shape the nation’s fiscal trajectory for the rest of 2026.