Two Continuing Resolutions
The U.S. Senate approved a continuing resolution (CR) in the early morning hours of Saturday to fund the government through December 11, 2026. The measure, which includes several extraneous items, differs from the CR passed by the U.S. House, which includes funding through December 4, 2026. To avert a government shutdown at the end of September, the two chambers will need to align on a uniform version of the CR to send to the president for his signature.
Analysis and eternal perspective: This is the current “normal” for the annual appropriations (spending) process in Congress. Over the last couple decades, it has become increasingly common to abandon any real debate in either full chamber over individual components of the federal budget. Instead, there is one large negotiation (mostly between just congressional leaders) that frequently pushes up against a looming government shutdown, which results in a recurring headline and political pressure to “reach a deal.” If either of the current CRs is eventually signed into law, you can mark it on your calendars for another similar debate in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Candidly, it is a lousy way to govern and steward taxpayer resources, and one that neither party should embrace.
This is an area where The Equipped should begin by simply declining to take the anxiety bait. The habit of leaping from fiscal cliff to fiscal cliff and negotiating against deadlines is embraced specifically because it maximizes pressure. This pressure might help politicians “get a deal,” but it does the opposite for a people endeavoring to live in the peace Jesus promised (Jn. 14:27). The good news is you can choose the latter over the former.
It would be prudent for voters of every political persuasion to incentivize better stewardship of the federal budget. But in the meantime, you can adopt a posture that is clear-eyed about the repetitive nature of the current political rhythm and decline to be animated by the inevitable “emergencies” on loop.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).