Congressional Republicans appear optimistic on spending deal ahead of Friday's deadline

Congressional Republicans appeared hopeful on Monday that a government spending deal would be reached by the end of the week, after a delay over the weekend prevented lawmakers from releasing the legislative text of the bill. 

Top lawmakers on both sides were hoping to release the text this weekend, but they were not able to do so because of conflict over economic assistance for farmers. 

House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole on Monday told reporters that progress was being made in the spending fight, which has a critical Friday deadline. Congress will be out for the year starting next week, and will return for the 119th Congress on Jan. 3, 2025. 

“It’s both between the House and the Senate and Republicans and Democrats," Cole said, per The Hill. "So, [there are] both institutional differences, and there are partisan differences ... [But] there are a lot fewer of them than there were 24 hours ago.”

Cole also admitted that debate on the farm aid is still a "substantial" factor in the talks, and Republican Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran on Monday threatened to oppose the bill if there's no assistance for farmers. 

"If there is no assistance for our farmers and ranchers in the Continuing Resolution, I will not support the bill," Moran wrote in a post on X.  "Through no fault of their own, Kansas farm families are struggling to keep their heads above water, and it is critical they receive assistance as soon as possible to continue their operations. I will continue working with my colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee and [Agriculture] Committee to provide certainty for our producers."

Both sides agree that farmers need more assistance, but the divide centers on logistics like the structuring of the aid and its scope. Although House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington expressed concern over the cost when other groups need funding as well.

“Ad hoc emergency spending is always, and invariably — you’re going to have more wasted tax dollars because of just the nature of it,” Arrington said. “But we have to help both our hurricane-ravaged communities, and we have to do something to help those in farm communities who’ve suffered with it.”

The Continuing Resolution, which is expected to be the final major piece of legislation in the congressional year, is expected to still include disaster aid for communities devastated by hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.