WASHINGTON — The federal government is again on the brink of a partial shutdown.
Congress has until Friday to come up with a fix. If not, billions of dollars worth of military construction projects could be in jeopardy.
The fiscal year 2024 Defense budget includes $16.675 billion for military construction and family housing programs.
That total includes several big-ticket items in Virginia, including $61 million for the new Special Operations Command Operations Support Facility at Joint Base Little Creek.
Those projects could be in danger when the first of two continuing resolutions (CR) expires on March 1 — unless Congress acts.
The Pentagon press secretary on Monday did not want to speculate about what the immediate impacts of a shutdown could be.
"Obviously, I don't want to get into hypotheticals at this point. We'll certainly continue to work closely with Congress and hope that there is a budget passed. I'd refer you to OMB for any potential ramifications on the U.S. government. But needless to say, we will certainly hope that a budget is passed," said Major General Pat Ryder.
The Senate reconvenes on Monday, and House lawmakers are back on Wednesday — leaving very little time to get the job done.
"We've got to get these bills across the finish line. We have to fund our military," said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia, 2nd District) in an interview with 13News Now.
Kiggans said resorting to passing three prior CRs since October 1 has been "frustrating."
"I do not want a year-long CR. I do not want to kick this can down the road anymore. I want to get a budget passed," she said.
The Friday deadline also impacts the departments of Veterans Affairs, agriculture, transportation, energy and housing and urban development.