Congress Passes Short-Term Funding Plan to Avert Government Shutdown

December 1, 2023 – On November 16th, President Joe Biden signed a bill to avert a government shutdown and keep the government open through early 2024.

The two-step continuing resolution (CR) would extend funding at current levels for some agencies and programs (including the Food and Drug Administration) through January 19th and, for others (including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), through February 2nd.

The House of Representatives passed the stopgap spending bill in a bipartisan 336-95 vote. The Senate passed the measure in a bipartisan 87-11 vote. Passage of the CR provides lawmakers with additional time to reach a deal on individual fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills.