Congress is one month from a government shutdown deadline with no agreement in sight, and the two parties are pushing competing plans, the Washington Post's Federal Insider reported.
Democrats want a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that holds funding at current levels into next year. Republicans want to use what the Post describes as their last window in power to fund the war in Iran. The gap raises the risk of a lapse in pay and operations for federal employees and service members.
Key Facts
- The deadline: Current funding runs out at the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30. Without new appropriations or a CR, agencies face a lapse in funding on Oct. 1, the start of FY2027.
- Democrats' position: A short-term CR at current funding levels, extending into next year.
- Republicans' position: Use the party's remaining time in power to fund the Iran war, rather than pass a stopgap alone.
- The standoff: The Post reports the sides are far apart, with little sign of a path to a deal.
- What's at risk: Paychecks and operations for federal civilians and military personnel if funding lapses.
What It Means For You
No shutdown has been triggered yet. But agencies typically update their shutdown contingency plans as a deadline approaches, so watch for guidance from your agency or command.
Federal civilians: In a lapse, employees are either furloughed or designated "excepted." Excepted employees work without pay until funding is restored. Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, furloughed and excepted employees are entitled to back pay once the lapse ends, though paychecks can be delayed in the meantime.
Service members: Active-duty personnel stay on the job during a lapse. Whether and when they are paid depends on congressional or administrative action, as in past shutdowns. Military families who rely on regular paychecks may want to review their financial cushion now.
Contractors: Contractor employees are not covered by the back pay law, and work stoppages could affect their income.
A short-term CR would keep agencies open at current spending levels but would leave full-year FY2027 funding unresolved. The Iran war funding fight adds a second, separate dispute on top of the usual appropriations negotiations.
Context
Shutdown deadlines often end in last-minute stopgaps, but a CR requires votes from both parties, and the two sides are starting from different priorities. The Post's reporting indicates neither has yet moved toward the other.
GovWire will update this story as negotiations develop.
Source: Washington Post — Federal Insider