As the first appropriations deadline of January 19 approaches, a short-term extension has been granted for four out of the twelve appropriations bills, covering Agriculture, Energy & Water, Military Construction-VA, and Transportation-HUD. Failure to take further action by this date could lead to a partial government shutdown for agencies and programs funded by these bills. Speaker Johnson has expressed a preference for passing a full-year continuing resolution through September 30 if individual appropriations bills cannot be enacted by the deadline. Following closely is the second appropriations deadline on February 2, affecting agencies and programs under the remaining eight appropriations bills, including Commerce-Justice-Science, Defense, Financial Services-General Government, Homeland Security, Interior, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch, and State-Foreign Operations. The President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2025 is anticipated in the first quarter, necessitating a shift in appropriations focus to the 2025 fiscal year. If an agreement on funding for Fiscal Year 2024 is not reached by January 19 or February 2, the likelihood of a long-term continuing resolution becomes increasingly plausible.
In other matters, during November 2023, the Farm Bill was extended for one year until September 30, 2024. Despite various hearings and discussions over the previous year, no formal legislation for a new Farm Bill has been proposed; however, draft text is expected early this year. Turning attention to the Secure And Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act (S. 2860), which would ensure that legal cannabis businesses would have access to critical banking and financial services, Majority Leader Schumer aims to bring the bill to a full Senate vote. However, challenges have arisen due to disagreements over criminal justice reform provisions and law enforcement agencies' access to information. These hurdles pose additional challenges for the Senate in advancing the bill this year, and resistance is expected.