- Proposed bill maintains government funding through September with defense boosts and non-defense cuts
- Excludes disaster relief, slashes IRS enforcement by $20B, increases ICE deportation funds
- Requires near-unanimous GOP support amid Democratic opposition and tight voting margins
House Republican leaders introduced a 99-page continuing resolution to fund federal operations through September 2024. The legislation raises defense spending by $6 billion over current levels while reducing non-defense programs by $13 billion. A dedicated $6 billion allocation aims to address veterans' healthcare backlogs, though critics highlight the exclusion of disaster recovery funds as communities like Houston, Texas, still rebuild from 2024’s catastrophic floods.
Controversial anomaliesin the bill include a $20 billion reduction to IRS enforcement capabilities—a move analysts warn could enable $60 billion in annual tax evasion. Simultaneously, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would receive a 15% budget hike to expand deportation operations, signaling a renewed focus on border security priorities.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) faces an uphill battle to pass the measure before the March 14 deadline. With a 218-214 House majority, Johnson can afford only one Republican defection. Democrats unanimously oppose the plan, with Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) condemning it as a billionaire-backed assault on fiscal responsibility.
Three critical industry insights emerge: First, IRS funding cuts may disproportionately affect small-business audits while high-net-worth tax evasion persists. Second, ICE’s expanded mandate could strain municipal budgets in sanctuary cities like Chicago. Third, the bill’s adherence to 2023 spending caps ignores 9.2% inflation rates since the debt ceiling deal, effectively imposing real-term cuts on social programs.
As legislative tensions escalate, the proposal underscores broader GOP strategy shifts. By sidestepping traditional appropriations processes, this CR concentrates budgetary authority within party leadership—a precedent that could reshape future fiscal negotiations.