House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is moving forward today with a two-tiered stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown Friday night. The plan would extend funding for some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2. Johnson told reporters this morning that the timing will allow Congress to finalize the 12 individual spending plans instead of having to consider a last-minute omnibus bill.
Some House Republicans are opposed to the bill because if doesn’t include spending cuts. Democrats in the House and Senate seem open to the plan.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Monday that when Congress relies on continuing resolutions instead of fully funding the defense budget, it holds the military back and gives adversaries a head start.
“Think of it this way: If you’re doing a race that’s a mile long, we’re essentially giving away a quarter-mile head start to the other side,” he said at a CNAS event. “You’re giving away an entire lap in a four-lap race to the other side to move ahead while you’re sitting still. That makes no sense whatsoever.”
Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich
