House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) is advocating for a change in the federal government’s fiscal year timeline, suggesting a shift from the September 30 deadline to alleviate the constant worry about potential government shutdowns.
“As we move forward, we need to explore how to adjust that timeline or perhaps consider placing the year’s end differently,” Emmer stated in a Thursday interview.
He noted that Congress has less activity in August due to voting schedules. “You’ll be working in your districts during that time and then come back after Labor Day. It just doesn’t feel like enough time,” he explained.
Emmer’s remarks come as Congress braces for possible shutdowns, with the House having approved a seven-week continuing resolution (CR) that the Senate rejected the same day, heightening concerns about funding.
“We need to have a discussion moving forward,” he said, stressing that if the goal is to return to a regular spending process, adjustments on deadlines are necessary.
The modern fiscal year calendar was established by the Congressional Budget and Water Storage Management Act of 1974, originally spanning from October 1 to September 30. However, in 1997, Congress began fully funding the government before the fiscal year commenced. This was an exception noted in a Congressional Research Services report, which referenced the situation in 1977.
Deadlines set by the Budget Act often go unaddressed, such as the requirement for the House to finalize all budget bills by June 30. Instead, Congress regularly passes combined spending packages—often referred to as “omnibus” or “minibus”—to cover various government sectors.
The fiscal calendar has shifted in the past; prior to 1977, it ran from July 1 to June 30.
Some lawmakers have previously suggested calendar adjustments. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) proposed a January 1 start for the fiscal year in 2018 while advocating for broader reforms.
House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) expressed that the pressing question is how to prioritize such a bill. “I think this place is working too often and not often enough, so I’d like to see more focus in June, July, and May,” he commented.
Cole is open to discussing modifications to the fiscal year, but adds, “Deadlines here act like alarm clocks, meaning folks aren’t likely to take things seriously until those deadlines approach.”
Despite the looming threat of a shutdown, Emmer believes progress is being made. “One of our issues is that we want everything done immediately. This approach has been part of the business mindset for a while,” he acknowledged. “Legislation is complex, involving 435 individuals with diverse backgrounds and priorities, so it’s not straightforward.” He maintained optimistically, “We’re heading in the right direction,”
