With government funding set to expire at the end of this month, the pressing concern is not whether Congress will enact a stopgap measure to continue funding for the Pentagon, but rather how long that measure will last, according to senior Republican Congressman Rob Wittman.
As the House and Senate prepare to reconvene next week after their recess, lawmakers will discuss structuring a continuing resolution (CR) aimed at preventing a government shutdown when the fiscal year 2025 begins on October 1.
“We know we won’t be able to finalize the remaining seven appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year,” Virginia Rep. Wittman, the No. 2 Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, stated during the Defense News conference. “So, considering this, it appears we will need another continuing resolution, likely to be proposed in the middle of next week. The key discussion is how long that CR should last.”
Wittman expressed a preference for a deal that would expire before the new congressional session starts in early January, to avoid placing the responsibility of funding on the incoming Congress. “It’s easier to navigate the passage of FY25 appropriations this year rather than waiting until the 119th Congress, where everything will have to be re-initiated,” he explained. “Additionally, there are concerns such as the debt ceiling and other factors that will complicate the process with a new administration.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested a plan to extend funding until March, with spending levels adhering to the Fiscal Responsibility Act. However, this proposal is likely to face resistance from Democrats due to Johnson’s intention to attach voter ID legislation to the funding extension, which has already been passed in the Republican-controlled House. Democrats favor a shorter CR lasting until mid-November or December, which would allow for additional spending measures after the upcoming election.
In a recent interview with Breaking Defense, Pentagon Comptroller Mike McCord acknowledged that the department is gearing up for a continuing resolution, which would limit the initiation of new programs, but he expressed hope for a shorter duration. “I have become somewhat accustomed to CRs extending all the way to December in these situations,” he admitted, adding, “I would prefer it to last just until after the election. However, I would be surprised if it doesn’t extend through December, or even longer, which would be quite discouraging.”
When Congress returns to Capitol Hill, passing a CR will be the first order of business; however, the House and Senate defense committees still face a full agenda, including finalizing the defense spending bill and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY25.
While the Senate Armed Services Committee has passed the NDAA out of committee, the Senate has yet to schedule a full vote. If the Senate doesn’t take action soon, both chambers may find themselves needing to negotiate a compromise based solely on the House’s version of the NDAA, rather than a collaborative final bill. Wittman noted, “It’s a better process when both bodies have a finalized bill. I prefer avoiding a ping-pong situation, as it tends to prolong the process and introduces more variables.”
Another significant issue is reconciling the differing positions of the House and Senate regarding the Defense Department’s funding for FY25. This is further complicated by spending caps set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which limits total defense spending to $895.21 billion. The House has approved defense bills adhering to these limits, while Senate appropriators are considering bypassing the caps by proposing additional emergency funding.
Wittman asserted that the defense topline established by the budget caps is “a realistic target for us,” but he recognized that the Senate’s push for increased defense spending could foster further dialogue on the potential need for supplemental funding for the Defense Department later in FY25. “This opens up discussions about the necessity for additional funding down the line,” he said.
