With another shutdown deadline on horizon, senators seek budget process reform

By Jory Heckman, Federal News Radio

With the prospect of yet another government shutdown deadline in less than a month, two members of the Senate Budget Committee — one Democrat, one Republican — agree that the current process of funding the federal government needs a serious overhaul.

Earlier this month, Congress ended an hours-long shutdown by passing the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which raises spending caps $300 billion higher than current levels for the next two years. However, lawmakers still must pass an appropriations measure before midnight on March 23.

Lawmakers have yet to pass a comprehensive budget for fiscal 2018, even though the fiscal year is nearly halfway over. And yet, Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) said he’s not surprised, because Congress has almost never passed an on-time budget in recent memory.