US government begins FY 2021 with temporary funding measure

President Donald Trump has signed into law a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will keep the US government temporarily funded and operating in the absence of annual appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2021, which began on 1 October.

A Continuing Resolution funds the US government until 11 December. (Getty Images)

Trump’s action early on 1 October came after the US Senate passed the CR by an 84-10 vote on 30 September. The US House approved the measure by a 359-57 vote on 22 September.

The CR, which runs through 11 December, keeps the US Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies funded at FY 2020 levels for now. Congress will have to pass the 12 annual appropriations bills or another CR to keep the government funded when the current CR runs out.

While the new CR generally prevents the government from starting programmes or increasing procurement rates, it contains an exception or “anomaly” that will allow the US Navy to award a contract to buy its first two Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. Pentagon officials have said that the Columbia programme, which will replace ageing Ohio-class submarines, cannot afford a delay.

CRs have become frequent occurrences in recent years, as the politically polarised Congress has struggled to reach agreement on appropriations bills and many other matters.

In other US legislative news, lawmakers and the Trump Administration continue to work on a potential fourth coronavirus relief bill, which could include money for defence. Democratic and Republican negotiators remain far apart, however, on the bill’s contents and funding level.