Resolution Funding Federal Government Through Dec. 20 Includes Security-Specific Measures

Measures include over $350 million for election security and presidential transition, a counter-UAS extension, extension of funds for FEMA disaster relief

On Sept. 25, 2024, the U.S. House and Senate passed a three-month continuing resolution (CR) that funds the federal government through Dec. 20, 2024. The measure is a “clean” CR that reappropriates funding and extends authorizations to keep the government open past the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2024.

The CR extends temporary funding at fiscal 2024 levels to all agencies. For example, key programs such as the Port Security Program, the Transit Security Grant Program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Programs, Nonprofit Security Grant Program, School Violence Prevention Program, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance Program would continue to be funded at fiscal 2024 rates.

In addition to the continuation of these funds, the CR contains provisions that set specific funding levels and authorities, or “anomalies,” to include the following:  

• Over $350 million in additional funding for security and administrative costs associated with the 2024 presidential election and transition.
  • $231 million to the United States Secret Service Operations and Support budget for protective operations including the 2024 presidential campaign and national special security events.$47 million to the District of Columbia for Presidential Inauguration costs necessary for emergency planning and security activities.$5 million to the Department of Interior’s National Park Service for security and visitor safety activities related to the presidential inaugural ceremonies.$25 million to the Executive Office of the President for presidential transition administrative support.Over $19 million to the General Services Administration for necessary expenses to carry out the Presidential Transition Act of 1963.
  • $23 million to the National Archives and Records Administration to carry out transition responsibilities under the Presidential Records Act of 1978.
• Extension of emergency funds for FEMA disaster relief.
• Extension of critical homeland security authorities for the length of the CR, until Dec. 20, 2024, including Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems authority and the National Cybersecurity Protection System authority.

Under a short-term CR, federal agencies tend to be cautious about expending funds, as they prefer to operate under a complete budget when the final appropriations are enacted. CRs also specify that agencies cannot make final determinations about new grants prior to the enactment of full-year budget information. Programs that were already operating in fiscal 2024 are allowed to continue at the same rate of funding, unless otherwise specified.

The measure passed the House Wednesday afternoon with a two-thirds majority, 341-82, and then passed the Senate 78-18. The bill now moves to President Biden’s desk to be signed before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, preventing a government shutdown. Now that the final measure is passed, both the House and Senate will return to their districts and states to focus on campaigning all throughout October. Congress will not return until after Veterans Day, and they will have 24 legislative days remaining to either pass an omnibus appropriations package or extend fiscal 2024 funds again before the new Dec. 20 deadline.