UPDATED | Congress agreed to a continued funding resolution to keep the government open through Dec. 20, 2024.
UPDATE | After meeting with more than 150 small-business owners as part of NSBA's Washington Presentation - America's small-business fly-in, the House and Senate agreed to passage of a funding bill through Dec. 20.
Passing 341-82 in the House and 72-18 in the Senate, passage of this continuing funding resolution signifies Congress commitment to bipartisanship and coming together to ensure federal tools and resources, like the Small Business Administration (SBA), remain operational to serve the small-business community.
Follow NSBA as we continue advocating for a fully funded and equipped SBA and common sense government action to support small business.
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Working through the weekend, leaders of Congress have reportedly reached an agreement on terms of a stopgap federal funding bill to keep the government open through Dec. 20, 2024.
The bill funds the government at existing spending levels, with few exceptions, including an increase in presidential campaign security. The current funding approvals will expire Sept. 30.
Lawmakers are aiming to vote on the measure on Wednesday, a House Republican leadership aide told reporters Sunday. As has become common during this Congress, the funding bill will be considered under a suspension of the rules, meaning that instead of a simple majority for passage, a 2/3rd majority will be required.
In a letter to colleagues Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) described the continuing resolution bill as “a very narrow, bare-bones (funding), including only the extensions that are absolutely necessary.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he is pleased bipartisan talks led to a deal, and in a rare move, the Senate has already reached what is known as a time agreement for consideration of the House bill, meaning that it can take up and pass the measure immediately after the House votes.
Following Washington Presentation (WP24) over Sept. 18-19, where small-business owners flew into Washington to advocate for legislative and policy priorities, including the need to avoid a government shutdown, NSBA is pleased to learn of Congress’ commitment to compromise to reach a deal on funding.
Government shutdowns are harmful to small businesses, which should not be forced to operate without the support of services only available with operational funds, including those appropriated to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the SBA’s Office of Advocacy.
Read NSBA’s message to Congress shared during WP24 here, and follow NSBA as we continue tracking the solvency of the government critical to supporting our country’s small-business community.