Every fall there is suspense on Capitol Hill relating to the Congressional agenda. Will Congress fund federal agencies in time to avoid a government shutdown? Which pieces of major legislation will pass? It is always a time of uncertainty.
However, there seems to be one constant that almost always receives bipartisan, bicameral support. Since 1961,
Congress is in the midst of a busy fall dominated by budgetary deadlines and several expiring programs. President Trump recently signed the “Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019,” which in effect avoids a government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2019.
Programs given short-term extensions. The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30,