Congressional leaders reached a tentative agreement Wednesday, February 28, to prevent a government shutdown for now, days before an end-of-the-week deadline that risked shuttering some federal operations. Under the new plan being finalized, Congress would temporarily extend funding for one set of federal agencies through March 8 and for another set through March 22, so long as both Republicans and Democrats agree to a broader funding plan for the remainder of the budget year.
An announcement was expected later Wednesday from party leaders comes as negotiators in Congress have been working furiously to finish up a federal spending plan and Washington joined Ukraine and other American allies around the world in watching and waiting for House Speaker Mike Johnson's next move. The new Republican leader is facing the test of his career trying to keep the US government open by Friday's midnight deadline for several federal departments. At the same time, emergency funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Indo-Pacific allies remains stubbornly stalled. President Joe Biden convened leaders Tuesday in hopes of pushing them toward a deal. "We are very close to getting it done," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said as he opened his side of the Capitol on Wednesday. Republicans are also optimistic that a deal can be reached.
Congress is in what has become a familiar cycle of threatened shutdowns and disruptions as Johnson's hard-right Republicans in his GOP majority strive for steeper spending reductions than Democrats and even some other Republicans are willing to accept.