Government Funding Deadline Approaches; Johnson Calls for Delay
Washington Update
Appropriations
With little motivation to negotiate to fund the government for the remainder of the year, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA) is pushing for a delay in government funding until March of 2025. This three-month extension will set appropriators back for the FY26 budget, though, and could affect President-elect Donald Trump’s 100-day agenda. The move aims to avoid a vote on an omnibus spending bill, which has been divisive among Republicans. Because Congressmen Matt Gaetz (FL) and Mike Waltz (FL) resigned — Waltz to become national security adviser — Johnson is likely to start the new Congress with only 218 Republican votes, allowing him to lose just two on the spending bill, so a vote on a contentious bill could present challenges.
The White House has also requested $24 billion in aid for Ukraine, including $16 billion to replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles and $8 billion for security assistance. Johnson, who previously prioritized funding for Ukraine, has stated he will not support this tranche of funding. The Biden administration is working to expedite weaponry shipments to Ukraine, raising concerns about depleting U.S. stockpiles and diverting resources from other priorities. In addition, President Biden has requested about $99 billion for emergency relief, including $40 billion for FEMA, $24 billion for farmers impacted by recent hurricanes and food aid programs, and $12 billion for housing assistance, as well as funding for past disasters like the Maui wildfires and the Baltimore bridge collapse.
The House is not expected to take action on government funding until closer to the December 20 deadline.
Republican Main Street Labor Caucus
Congressional Republicans are continuing their efforts to solidify support among union voters with the formation of the Republican Main Street Labor Caucus, chaired by Congressman Nick LaLota (NY). The caucus aims to expand apprenticeship programs, promote fair labor negotiations, and resist overregulation, signaling a continued push to strengthen ties with a key voting bloc historically aligned with Democrats. LaLota, whose reelection was supported by the Transport Workers, emphasized the GOP’s focus on working families and essential workers who keep the country running. This initiative comes as union households, particularly in the Rust Belt, have increasingly shifted toward Republican candidates in recent elections.
Meanwhile, Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), have acknowledged the need to reconnect with working-class voters. Jeffries stressed the party’s commitment to addressing affordability and lowering costs for American families in the face of ongoing economic challenges.
Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent
On Tuesday, November 26, the White House released the Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent, which represents a key step in the nation’s efforts to build an innovative and inclusive future in STEM fields. The plan aims to expand access to STEM opportunities across diverse communities, regardless of background or location, outlining a vision for advancing STEM education and workforce development across the country. It highlights the importance of fostering innovation and broadening participation to strengthen the nation’s STEM potential. The plan is a key component of the Biden administration’s "Investing in America" agenda, which has driven historic public investments in STEM through initiatives such as the CHIPS and Science Act. Building on this momentum, the strategy recognizes that U.S. global leadership depends on a robust and diverse STEM workforce capable of addressing pressing challenges — from combating climate change to harnessing artificial intelligence responsibly. The Federal Strategic Plan reflects a unified national effort to strengthen STEM pathways, ensuring that innovation and opportunity reach every community.
Click here to access the press release on the strategic plan.
House Education and the Workforce Committee
Current House Education and the Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (NC) is term-limited, paving the way for an upcoming leadership showdown between Congressmen Tim Walberg (MI) and Burgess Owens (UT), expected to be resolved in the next few weeks. Walberg is leveraging his seniority and focus on fostering stronger industry-school partnerships to build a robust workforce. Owens highlights his role as chair of the higher education subcommittee and his outspoken stances against antisemitism, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as the flawed rollout of the federal student aid application, FAFSA.
In the Senate, Sen. Bill Cassidy (LA) is still on track to assume the role of HELP Committee chair in the new Congress.
Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced plans to appeal Judge Sean Jordan’s mid-November district court decision that blocked the Biden administration's effort to expand overtime pay guarantees to millions of workers. In response to the ruling, which invalidated the rule, administration attorneys informed the court that they will pursue the case in the conservative-leaning 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This case is part of a broader set of regulatory actions facing legal challenges. The incoming administration may choose to reassess or discontinue defending these initiatives once President Trump takes office in January.
H-2A Visas
Two recent court rulings issued in Kentucky and Mississippi blocked enforcement of the Biden administration’s H-2A farmworker regulations, which was a move celebrated by agricultural companies and business groups. The rules, designed to increase wage transparency and counter employer retaliation, have faced significant pushback from the agricultural sector. National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) President and CEO Michael Marsh noted the financial and operational burdens imposed by the regulations, expressing relief at the courts’ intervention but lamenting the need for legal action. These rulings underscore ongoing challenges in the implementation of federal labor policies. While groups opposing the regulations hope for their complete rollback — potentially under a Trump administration — they are urging acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su to suspend the rules in the interim. Legal experts caution that despite these setbacks, the Department of Labor (DOL) could explore alternative enforcement mechanisms, as the rulings’ scope varies across jurisdictions.
Farm Bill
Republican and Democratic negotiators have begun formal discussions on a Farm Bill extension — deviating from efforts to pass a new authorization. This shift follows a last-ditch push by Senate Agriculture Chair Debbie Stabenow (MI) that ultimately fell short. With just a few legislative days remaining in the year, Congress must act quickly to finalize an extension. If not, key farm bill commodity programs will face a policy cliff starting January 1. Lawmakers are considering including a one-year extension of the current 2018 farm bill in a year-end stopgap funding package or another essential bill. They are also exploring the possibility of adding various agricultural provisions to the extension.
Initial Jobless Claims
In the week ending November 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 213,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 213,000 to 215,000. The 4-week moving average was 217,000, a decrease of 1,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 217,750 to 218,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.3 percent for the week ending November 16, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate.
Click here to access the report.
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