WASHINGTON — It looks like disaster is going to be averted once again.
Barring some last-minute hitch, funding for roughly 70 percent of the federal government — including the departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security as well as the IRS and TSA — is going to be approved by Congress before Friday's deadline.
And a government shutdown wouldn't happen.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) said Wednesday that the second half of the 2024 appropriations bill is "on-track" for passage within days.
"The negotiators in both the House and Senate together with the White House have agreed we have a deal. It's going to happen, just like we did it two weeks ago, we'll do it again," he said.
Kaine said it's possible a short-term funding extension might be needed beyond Friday — if both chambers of Congress are unable to finish their work in time.
A prolonged government shutdown could have major negative impacts upon the government and economy.
Two-thirds of IRS employees would face furloughs at the height of tax filing season.
And roughly 1.3 million active-duty U.S. military service members would be forced to work without pay.