the continuing resolution with disaster funding is in jeopardy
The US House of Representatives need to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) in order to keep the government funded beyond December 20, 2024. Turn on the news to get the latest on machinations that are ongoing. Speaker of the House is having to rely on Democrats to pass any bill since a segment of the Republican Cause is opposed to any such measure being passed. It is a “shut it all down” approach.
If I was a senior department director at the federal level I’d be scrambling to dust of the plan for who gets furloughed and who is declared essential and must work—without pay for now. President Elect Trump has weighed in and said to kill the bill.
I’m a bit surprised that legislators are attacking the $100B in disaster relief funds that is in the larger measure. I guess if their district is not being impacted, and they don’t think they’ll have a disaster in the near future—so what! I can tell you that legislators in North Carolina won’t be voting no!
The one element of that disaster package of funds that I do have a bit of heartburn with is the 100% funding for the Francis Scott Bridge in Baltimore Harbor that collapsed earlier this year. The replacement could be a 75% federal and 25% state and local split. The bridge replacement is estimated at $2 billion and take another 4.5 years. I think at 90/10 split would be appropriate. Each level of government must do its share when it comes to disaster costs. Yes, even a 90/10% split would be expensive for state and local governments. $200M would be their cost share.
Two days and counting!
