Continuing resolution

Definition

A continuing resolution is a type of legislation that allows federal agencies to continue operating at current funding levels when a new budget has not been passed. This measure is essential to avoid government shutdowns and maintain the flow of government services. Continuing resolutions can be temporary, lasting only a few days or weeks, or they can cover longer periods, providing a stopgap until an official budget agreement is reached.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Continuing resolutions are often used when Congress faces time constraints and cannot finalize a new budget before the start of the fiscal year.
2. These resolutions can be controversial, as they may maintain outdated funding levels that do not reflect current needs or priorities.
3. A continuing resolution may include provisions that allow for limited increases in funding for specific programs or agencies.
4. The use of continuing resolutions has become more frequent in recent years due to increased partisan gridlock in Congress.
5. If Congress does not pass a continuing resolution, it can lead to a government shutdown, impacting various federal services and employees.

Review Questions

• How do continuing resolutions impact federal agencies' operations during budgetary delays?
  • Continuing resolutions allow federal agencies to maintain their operations at existing funding levels when a new budget has not been enacted. This prevents disruptions in government services and ensures that essential programs can continue functioning. However, agencies may face challenges in adapting to stagnant funding, particularly if program needs have evolved or increased since the last budget was approved.
• Discuss the potential consequences of relying heavily on continuing resolutions for federal budgeting.
  • Relying heavily on continuing resolutions can lead to several negative consequences, including reduced flexibility in responding to changing priorities and outdated funding levels for programs. Agencies may struggle with planning and implementation due to uncertainty about future budgets, which can hinder long-term projects. Additionally, this reliance may contribute to increased partisan tensions, as disagreements over budgets can escalate into broader conflicts within Congress.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of continuing resolutions in maintaining government functions amid political gridlock and suggest alternatives.
  • Continuing resolutions serve as a temporary fix to keep the government running during periods of political gridlock; however, their effectiveness is limited by the potential for outdated funding levels and lack of strategic direction. Alternatives could include more bipartisan cooperation on long-term budgets, use of short-term appropriations bills that address immediate needs, or reforms that promote timely budget passage. Emphasizing transparency and accountability in the budgeting process could also help mitigate some issues associated with continuing resolutions.

Related terms

Appropriations Bill: A legislative proposal that grants the legal authority to allocate funds for specific government programs and activities.

Budget Control Act: A law that set caps on discretionary spending and established procedures for automatic cuts if budgetary goals are not met.

Government Shutdown: A situation that occurs when Congress fails to pass legislation funding government operations, leading to a suspension of non-essential services.