Congress returns this week from their summer recess with government funding as the top priority for September. A funding measure must be passed by Sept. 30 to continue government operations and prevent a government shutdown a little over a month before the November elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) must contend with several members of the Republican House majority who want any temporary extension that keeps spending at current levels to go into the next presidential term in case Republicans win the White House. Democrats are insisting on a shorter extension, while demanding that certain additional priorities be funded.

This week the House will vote on a six-month temporary funding measure offered by Johnson that would extend funding through March 28, 2025. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has already said that the House measure is inadequate. Democrats are also demanding that any extension be for a shorter period, preferring a three-month measure that will need to be renewed in a lame-duck Congress.

The Johnson measure may pass the House but will need to be negotiated with the Senate. While the majority of both political parties would like to avoid a government shutdown the month before the election, many are concerned that some conservatives in the Republican party and progressives in the Democratic party may hold firm to their positions until the deadline.