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The Quiet Reality: Funding Laws Dominating the 118th Congress.


In the halls of Congress, many bills get introduced, debated, and passed into law, each representing a step toward governance. However, when we closely examine the legislation from the 118th Congress, one trend becomes clear: most of these bills center on funding and appropriations rather than addressing specific policy issues. While appropriations are critical for keeping the government and its services running, this raises a thought-provoking question—what about laws that address more tangible, everyday problems Americans face?

 
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Key Points:
  1. Funding Focus: The 118th Congress has primarily passed funding and appropriations bills to keep the government running smoothly and avoid shutdowns.
  2. Short-Term Solutions: Many of these bills are temporary measures, prioritizing immediate financial stability over long-term policy reforms.
  3. Lack of Policy Progress: The focus on funding has overshadowed the need for laws addressing specific issues like healthcare, education, and infrastructure, leaving many pressing problems unaddressed.

 

The Funding Dominance: An Overview

If you review the recent laws passed during the 118th Congress, the theme is unmistakable: most are continuing resolutions or consolidated appropriations acts. These bills ensure the government stays funded, departments operate smoothly, and shutdowns are avoided.

Here's a brief breakdown of the recurring pattern:

  1. Continuing Appropriations Acts (e.g., H.R.5860, H.R.7463, H.R.6363) – These stopgap measures extend government funding at current levels to delay Congress to finalize the annual budget.
  2. Consolidated Appropriations Acts (e.g., H.R.4366, H.R.2882) – Bundles of spending bills that fund multiple government agencies and programs for a fiscal year.
  3. Further Appropriations and Extensions Acts (e.g., H.R.2872, H.R.9747) – These laws often continue funding with minimal changes, reflecting Congress's focus on stability rather than innovation.
  4. Defense Funding Bills (e.g., H.R.2670) – Ensuring military operations, defense programs, and national security receive financial backing.

While these laws are essential to maintain the country’s functioning, they often overshadow other critical topics like healthcare reform, education, infrastructure, or the environment.

 

Why So Much Focus on Funding?
  1. Avoiding Government Shutdowns
    Government shutdowns disrupt essential services and impact millions of Americans, from federal employees to recipients of critical programs. To avoid these disruptions, Congress often prioritizes funding bills—even if it means delaying debates on broader issues.
  2. Gridlock on Specific Policies
    Political polarization has made it challenging for Congress to agree on solutions to specific problems. Instead, funding bills become the “low-hanging fruit” that both parties can agree upon, as the consequences of failing to pass them are immediate and severe.
  3. Short-Term Focus
    Many of these appropriations bills are short-term solutions—continuing resolutions that push deadlines into the future. This short-term mindset prioritizes temporary funding over long-term planning or comprehensive policy reform.

 

The Rare Outlier: Addressing a Specific Issue

Amid the sea of funding bills, a few exceptions emerge, such as the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act (H.R.2365). This law takes a proactive stance on Parkinson’s disease research and treatment, a rare instance of Congress addressing a specific health issue.

However, the overwhelming dominance of appropriations highlights how little progress is being made on tangible policy issues that impact Americans' daily lives, such as lowering prescription drug costs, improving infrastructure, or advancing education reforms.

 

Why It Matters

While funding laws are essential, Congress's role extends far beyond approving budgets. Americans look to lawmakers to solve real problems, whether it’s healthcare affordability, climate change, or economic inequality.

By prioritizing short-term funding over policy innovation, Congress risks failing to address pressing issues that require meaningful solutions. Without new policies and reforms, many Americans may feel that their government is maintaining the status quo rather than striving for progress.

 

Summary of Key Laws Passed in the 118th Congress (2023-2024)

  1. H.R.2872 — Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024

Sponsor: Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA-6)
Committees: House Natural Resources
Summary: This law provides additional funding to continue federal government operations for Fiscal Year 2024. It ensures essential programs remain functional until the full budget is passed.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-35 on 01/19/2024.

 

  1. H.R.6363 — Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024

Sponsor: Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12)
Committees: House Appropriations, Budget
Summary: Extends funding and certain programs to avoid a government shutdown. Key provisions include short-term appropriations for critical services.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-22 on 11/17/2023.

 

  1. H.R.9747 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK-4)
Committees: House Appropriations, Budget
Summary: This law provides temporary funding to continue federal operations into Fiscal Year 2025 while Congress finalizes budget details.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-83 on 09/26/2024.

 

  1. H.R.2365 — National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act

Sponsor: Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL-12)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce, Senate HELP
Summary: Establishes a coordinated national effort to address Parkinson’s disease through research, treatment access, and public awareness.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-66 on 07/02/2024.

 

  1. H.R.2882 — Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024

Sponsor: Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6)
Committees: House Natural Resources, Education and Workforce
Summary: Combines multiple spending bills into one law to fund various government agencies and programs through Fiscal Year 2024.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-47 on 03/23/2024.

 

  1. H.R.3746 — Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Sponsor: Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-NC-10)
Committees: Multiple (Ways and Means, Appropriations, Budget, etc.)
Summary: Implements spending limits and other measures to address the federal deficit while maintaining critical funding for programs.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-5 on 06/03/2023.

 

  1. H.R.5860 — Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act

Sponsor: Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12)
Committees: House Appropriations, Budget, Ways and Means
Summary: Provides short-term appropriations to prevent government shutdowns and maintain continuity of federal operations.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-15 on 09/30/2023.

 

  1. H.R.4366 — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024

Sponsor: Rep. John R. Carter (R-TX-31)
Committees: House Appropriations
Summary: Consolidates funding for various federal programs and agencies into a single bill to support government operations.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-42 on 03/09/2024.

 

  1. H.R.2670 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

Sponsor: Rep. Mike D. Rogers (R-AL-3)
Committees: House Armed Services
Summary: Authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and related defense initiatives, including military operations, personnel, and technology.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-31 on 12/22/2023.

 

  1. H.R.7463 — Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024

Sponsor: Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12)
Committees: House Appropriations, Budget
Summary: Extends funding for federal programs and services to avoid disruptions in government operations.
Latest Action: Became Public Law No: 118-40 on 03/01/2024


Key Takeaways
  1. Most Recent Laws Are About Funding – The majority of laws passed by the 118th Congress focuses on government appropriations and avoiding shutdowns.
  2. Short-Term Focus Over Long-Term Reform – Continuing resolutions dominate, delaying long-term solutions to major policy challenges.
  3. A Lack of Tangible Solutions – With few exceptions, Congress has not passed significant laws to address issues like healthcare, infrastructure, or the environment.

 

Conclusion
While funding laws are necessary to keep the government running, they represent only one part of Congress's job. By focusing exclusively on appropriations, the 118th Congress has shied away from tackling the issues that matter most to Americans. It’s time for lawmakers to look beyond short-term funding and work toward long-term solutions that improve lives, address systemic challenges, and build a better future for the nation.

 

By: Albert Ferrin

Senior Help And You LLC

November 25, 2024

 



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