As the deadline for a potential federal government shutdown approaches on September 30, 2023, congressional leaders have unveiled a stopgap funding bill on September 23, 2024, designed to keep the US government operational through December 20. This bipartisan effort aims to prevent a shutdown that could disrupt federal operations starting October 1. The proposed bill maintains existing funding levels but includes specific exceptions, such as allocating $231 million for the US Secret Service to protect presidential candidates. Notably, it excludes the Republican-backed proof of citizenship voting requirement and additional funding for Navy submarines and disaster aid. House Speaker Mike Johnson described the bill as a 'narrow, bare-bones continuing resolution' while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the collaborative effort. The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on September 24 to consider the bill. [42aa12ed]
The urgency of this funding bill is heightened by the expiration of the International Longshoremen’s Association's (ILA) contract with East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, which also ends on September 30, potentially leading to a strike by 45,000 dockworkers. Republican members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have urged the Biden Administration to intervene to prevent this looming strike, expressing concerns over stalled labor contract negotiations between the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the ILA. A total of 69 Members of Congress have voiced their apprehensions, emphasizing that the current Master Contract covering dockworkers is set to expire on the same day as the government shutdown deadline. [1af152c6][e2f4641e]
The House of Representatives recently rejected a funding bill proposed by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson, with a vote of 220-202 on September 18. This earlier bill included contentious provisions aimed at tightening voter registration processes, which faced significant opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has expressed concerns that Republicans may be blamed for a government shutdown, recalling the costly 2018-2019 shutdown that resulted in an $11 billion loss in GDP. [59639204][d89266c3]
In addition to the government funding crisis, dockworkers are demanding a substantial 77% pay increase over six years. ILA President Harold J. Daggett has warned that significant disruptions could occur if a new agreement is not reached. A one-week strike could take until mid-November to recover from, while a two-week strike could extend recovery into 2025, according to Maersk, which indicated that a one-week shutdown could lead to 4-6 weeks of recovery. The stakes are high as both negotiations unfold, with the potential for severe impacts on the economy if solutions are not reached by the end of the month. [1af152c6][38876c93][3bf5cb92][e2f4641e]