Stalled Senate Appropriations Talks Pose Inevitability of a Continuing Resolution

The Senate Appropriations Committee introduced last week the full slate of 12 appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2023. However, as lawmakers remain divided on top-line funding levels, reports indicate a continuing resolution (CR), or government shutdown is inevitable.

The Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) reportedly wanted to hold off putting forward the bills until he could reach an agreement with Republican leadership on top-line funding levels. Ultimately, to move the process along, the Democrats introduced their proposals without Republican support—something they might need during reconciliation with House bills and the final approval.

“It is my hope that by releasing these bills and making clear what the priorities of Senate Democrats are, we can take a step closer toward reaching a bipartisan compromise after months of stalled negotiations,” Chairman Leahy said. “The stakes of inaction are too high to not complete our work.”

Appropriations Ranking Member, Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) condemned the bills, stating that they contained “poison pill” provisions without adequate increases in military spending.

“Democrats know the path to a successful appropriations process, but today they chose to move in a different direction. Today’s effort shows we have a long way to go,” Senator Shelby said. “Democrats need to get serious or, regrettably, I believe we will end up with a long-term CR.”

Without markups, Senate Democrats are forecasting a repeat of last year’s stalemate that delayed appropriations for nearly six months.

Scott Recinos, the Vice President of Homeland Security at the Logistics Management Institute (LMI), described the CR cycle as a vulnerability to “the largest employer on Earth and perhaps the most complex organization in human history” in a recent editorial.

“By their nature, CRs continue the previous year’s authorizations and appropriations. In a time of substantial inflation, failing to increase appropriations to keep pace is a de facto, across-the-board budget cut for the entire department,” stated Recinos. “Finally, federal employees have options: Annual budget uncertainty increases the risk that talented, dedicated public servants will leave for employers where they feel their work is valued, and replacements will be difficult to attract.”

Jason Briefel, Director of Policy and Outreach of the Senior Executives Association (SEA), says that career civil servants are not surprised by the pending resolution or the recent findings of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that highlight the impact of delayed appropriations on federal agencies

“How hypocritical of Congress to neglect its critical authority to fund the government year after year, instilling chaos across the board, and yet lawmakers still find the time to wrongly accuse civil servants of not doing their jobs and wasting taxpayer funds. It may be easier for members of the Executive Branch and the rest of the federal government to perform their duties if members of Congress could do theirs,” Briefel stated. “The ball is perpetually in their court, and yet they continue to squander any opportunity to support federal employees and serve the American people.”

The GAO Briefel highlighted noted the impact of CRs on three federal agencies and how these agencies seek to mitigate the ensuing disruption. Overall, the agencies still operated and provided services to the best of their abilities; however, they also reported difficulties in recruitment, financial uncertainty, restricted agency operations, and heightened administrative burdens.