McConnell and Johnson at odds over CR as spending deadline fast approaches

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., are at odds over a path to authorities funding as the primary deadline rapidly approaches on Jan. 19. 

McConnell mentioned Tuesday that Congress must cross one other persevering with decision (CR) to forestall a authorities shutdown, however Johnson has asserted opposition to a different CR settlement. 

“And so the question is, how long does the CR need to be? And that’ll be up to the majority leader and the speaker to determine the length of the CR,” McConnell informed reporters following the GOP’s weekly luncheon. 

In November, Johnson said he was “done” with short-term funding patches, recognized as a CR, which might fund authorities businesses quickly till a everlasting deal for the 12 months is handed — inserting him at odds with Republican leaders within the Senate. 

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., are at odds over a path to authorities funding. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc by way of Getty Images)

On Jan. 19, funding will expire for a number of federal departments, together with Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. 

On Feb. 2, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Defense Departments may even run out of funding. 

“The simplest things take a week in the Senate,” McConnell mentioned. “I think frequently, the House doesn’t understand how long it takes to get something through the Senate.”

Only three of the 12 spending payments the higher chamber’s appropriations committee accepted have been handed. 

Sen. Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., added {that a} CR is “highly likely” for continued authorities funding “for the foreseeable future.”

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (L), Democrat of New York; and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, pose for a photograph earlier than a gathering with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, previous to a gathering on July 27, 2023. (Saul Loeb)

“We’re not going to get all the appropriations bills done by the coming deadline,” Thune mentioned, including {that a} CR is an “inevitability.”

Meanwhile, Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. agreed to a “topline” spending determine of $1.59 trillion for the following fiscal 12 months this week. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to Johnson’s workplace for remark.