Congress on the Brink: Last-Minute Struggles to Avoid Government Shutdown Chaos

Congressional negotiators are facing mounting challenges in reaching an agreement to prevent a government shutdown beyond December 20. Despite expectations that the text of a continuing resolution (CR) — a temporary measure to keep the government funded — would be released on Sunday, lawmakers have yet to finalize the details, with economic assistance for farmers emerging as a significant sticking point.

The proposed CR aims to maintain funding at current levels and includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, as both parties remain at odds over a longer-term agricultural plan. However, discussions have intensified over potential add-ons, including additional relief for farmers struggling with economic and climate-related losses.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), the ranking Republican on the agricultural funding subcommittee, revealed on Saturday that GOP leadership supports a relief package that includes $12 billion for economic losses and $16 billion for weather-related assistance. Hoeven expressed optimism about attaching this package to the year-end stopgap deal to provide much-needed support to farmers.

As the December 20 deadline looms, lawmakers are under increasing pressure to strike a deal to avoid a partial government shutdown. However, unresolved disagreements, particularly over agricultural aid, could complicate efforts to finalize the funding plan in time.