Government Shutdown Appears Imminent; Federal Highway, Most Transit Programs to Continue Normal Operations

What’s happening: A lapse in spending authority may lead to a shutdown of many federal government programs in less than 36 hours without congressional action. House Republicans Sept. 29 attempted to advance a plan to fund the government for one month but the GOP measure failed on the House floor, 198-232.

What it means for transportation: The unique way federal highway and most federal transit programs are funded, via the Highway Trust Fund, largely insulates most federally supported transportation construction programs during a shutdown. Learn more.

The authorizing authority for federal aviation programs also is set to expire Sept. 30. However, House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) said he expects Congress to extend the current authorization through year’s end, in hopes the two chambers can reach agreement on a long-term aviation measure between now and Dec. 31.

What’s next: The Senate is currently considering its own, bipartisan short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open. A vote on final passage could come as soon as Sept. 30. Even with approval in the upper chamber, it faces an uncertain future in the House.