Key Fiscal Decisions Punted to 2017

Once again, federal lawmakers have turned to a familiar tactic to keep the government operating and delay significant decisions to a later date: the Continuing Resolution (CR), a stopgap measure that generally extends federal funding at current levels.

The House and Senate left town last week after passing a CR to keep the government operating through next April, when the new fiscal year will be more than half finished. Many experts warn that CRs are irresponsible, short-sighted measures that merely punt serious fiscal decisions to a later date.

Once again, federal lawmakers have turned to a familiar tactic to keep the government operating and delay significant decisions to a later date: the Continuing Resolution (CR), a stopgap measure that generally extends federal funding at current levels.

The House and Senate left town last week after passing a CR to keep the government operating through next April, when the new fiscal year will be more than half finished. Many experts warn that CRs are irresponsible, short-sighted measures that merely punt serious fiscal decisions to a later date.

Lawmakers in both parties should avoid this form of budgeting-by-crisis, and develop a more sensible budget process that encourages long-term decision-making.