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Everything that still needs to be done after the shutdown ends
As the shutdown nears its fourth week, news coverage has largely focused on how lawmakers are going to find their way out. Negotiations have been stalled and there are many questions about how the shutdown will end.
But I think it warrants a reminder that Congress still has several looming problems to face. The spending resolution that will be passed to reopen the government, whatever the final product may be, will only be a temporary solution.
The annual spending bills still won’t be finished — those talks will need to continue. And Congress still has a laundry list of tasks to accomplish before they can call it a day.
NDAA. Each year, Congress must pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes programs for the Defense Department and sets funding levels within the agency. The bill is separate from the appropriations fight because it doesn’t approve the funding, it just outlines where the funding can go.
The House passed its version of the NDAA in September, and the Senate passed its own earlier this month. But the two versions do not exactly match up, meaning lawmakers in both chambers will need to negotiate a final version.
Those talks have not yet begun. And while the NDAA itself does not expire, it will be necessary to dictate the defense spending framework, one of 12 appropriations bills that must be passed every year.
Farm Bill. Every five years, Congress must also pass what is known as the Farm Bill: a massive piece of legislation that establishes national policy on agriculture, nutrition, conservation and other rural developments.
It deals with everything, beginning with what farmers plant in their fields and ending with what you serve for dinner.
The most recent version of the bill was passed in 2018 and was scheduled to expire in 2023. Congress then passed a one-year extension through the end of 2024, and then again through the end of the 2025 fiscal year — meaning it officially expired on Oct. 1, the same day the government shutdown went into effect.
Because of the shutdown and lawmakers on the House side not being in Washington, the Farm Bill has taken a back seat to the appropriations fight. But it will need to be dealt with swiftly once the federal government’s lights come back on — or else they risk major disruptions across the farming community.
That could cause skyrocketing consumer prices, inconsistent federal support for farmers and a chaotic marketplace.
Appropriations. Once we are out of the shutdown, appropriators will need to get back to their jobs of finishing the fiscal year 2026 spending bills.
Let’s check back in where their progress is so far.
Each year, lawmakers must pass 12 appropriations bills to fund all aspects of the federal government. In past years, Congress has packaged several of these bills together in what is known as an “omnibus” bill or smaller “minibus” bills.
As of this week, the House and Senate each have only passed three of those 12 bills. And those bills do not yet match up, meaning negotiations between the chambers will be required to finalize the drafts before they can be voted on.
But the shutdown has thrown a wrench in these plans. The House has remained out of session, meaning lawmakers haven’t been able to pass the remaining nine appropriations bills to kick-start talks with the Senate. And the Senate has been so preoccupied with shutdown talks that it hasn’t voted on any of the individual appropriations bills while it has remained in session.
It’s worth mentioning Senate Republicans did bring up a procedural vote to advance the defense spending bill, but that was shot down by Democrats. Senate Republicans planned to replace the language with their own version of the defense spending bill — and possibly tie in three other spending bills also awaiting a vote in the Senate.
But Democrats said they wouldn’t support it unless they knew what policies Republicans would include in the final package.
— Cami Mondeaux
Stories driving the week
- Shutdown clock: Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters after Tuesday’s lunch that he is “hopeful” lawmakers can break through the impasse sometime soon, noting he will give Democrats “several opportunities” to reopen the government with future votes.
- Jan. 6 rioter gets more charges: Christopher Moynihan, 34, was arrested on Sunday after allegedly sending text messages to an associate with plans to attack House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during an event in New York City the following day. Moynihan now faces a felony charge of making a terroristic threat, according to CBS News, which first reported on the arrest.
- Don Jr. enters the chat: Donald Trump Jr. is joining Utah Republicans’ efforts to eliminate the congressional map approved by the state Legislature this month that could make two of Utah’s House districts more competitive.
Raining on our parade
Another shutdown-induced tragedy occurred this week: The annual Halloween dog parade will be canceled thanks to the shutdown.
The “bipawtisan” Halloween parade has been a staple for staffers and lawmakers alike, and it allows our favorite four-legged friends to dress up and compete for best costume while we all cheer them on. But Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who hosts the event each year, said the affair would no longer take place.
“It started as a fun idea, and it’s grown into something that people look forward to,” Tillis told Isaiah Steinberg of the Daily Northwestern. “And around here, anytime you can get Democrats, Republicans and independents smiling together, it’s a good thing.”
The event usually attracts a large crowd, and our former Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, even stepped in one year as the parade’s emcee after Tillis tested positive for COVID-19 in 2023. The parades have been held since 2017.
Quick hits
From the Hill: Key Republican leaders are backing away from this Trump nominee. … ‘No Kings’ rallies have come and gone. Now what will bring the shutdown to an end?
From the White House: White House relaxes rules on $100,000 H-1B fee. … Here’s how ranchers are reacting to Trump suggesting the U.S. buy Argentine beef. … Trump seeking $230 million in damages from DOJ, citing FBI ‘harassment’
From the courts: Supreme Court to decide if regular marijuana users can own guns. … Minnesota Supreme Court rules USA Powerlifting discriminated against trans athlete (CBS)