Congress has only a few days to reach an agreement to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY19 and avoid another partial government shutdown before the current stop-gap funding measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), expires on February 15. A CR carries forward funding levels from the previous year. Congress has failed to enact several federal spending bills for FY19, including those that fund affordable housing and community development programs, which led to the longest government shutdown in US history. Lawmakers hoped to reach a deal over the weekend, but a dispute over immigration policy has brought negotiations to a halt, increasing the risk of another government shutdown. Even if lawmakers reach a deal, it is unclear if President Donald Trump will sign the legislation if it does not include funding — or sufficient funding — for a southern border wall.
NLIHC asks advocates to call your lawmakers to urge them to enact clean, full-year FY19 spending bills for HUD and USDA as soon as possible. Advocates can also participate in a national Twitter storm on February 13 at 3:00 p.m. ET.