House and Senate Republicans are working quickly to pass a continuing resolution to fund the federal government to prevent a government shutdown that could occur as soon as mid-March.
A government shutdown affects parts of the federal government deemed nonessential and happens when Congress fails to pass some or all of the 12 appropriations bills that govern discretionary federal government spending. Programs such as Social Security, which are considered mandatory spending, are not affected by a government shutdown. Neither are services such as the post office.
In December, the House and Senate had passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through March 14. That bill had earmarked more than $100 billion for federal disaster relief and $29 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund.
If Congress can not come to an…
