New Congress Takes Shape as Appropriators Punt to 2025

House Republicans have signaled support for another stop-gap funding measure to close-out the 118th Congress and allow the new Congress and Administration to begin making their mark on federal spending.  Even as votes are still being counted to determine the final balance of power for the new Congress to be seated in January, Congressional appropriators appear ready to defer to President-elect Trump as they plan the close out of Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations.  

Republicans secured a strong majority in the Senate and a likely razor-thin margin in the House but hope to advance an ambitious agenda to re-shape federal spending, including plans for tax cuts, tariff increases, budget cuts, and claw backs of federal spending allocated by the previous Congress.  

Congress is already working with reduced discretionary spending in FY25, with most bills cutting about 2% from FY24 allocations.  Further reducing federal research spending will place pressure on university programs and research centers, as well as on national laboratories and emerging technology innovation efforts.   

Despite the focus on fiscal responsibility, lawmakers will likely have to provide additional funding before the current December 20th government funding deadline for relief from hurricanes Milton and Helene, as well as other disasters.   

A full-year Concurrent Resolution (CR) may be on the table, allowing the new Administration to focus on introducing its policy and legislative agenda in the new year, rather than hashing out a budget agreement for FY25, which began on October 1, 2024.  

To view the current FY25 appropriations legislation, visit: https://crsreports.congress.gov/AppropriationsStatusTable