- The federal government’s 2015 fiscal year begins October 1, 2014. Since there is no approved budget, the House and Senate must pass (and the President must sign) a Continuing Resolution (CR) by that time in order to avoid a government shutdown. Though no one believes that Congress won’t pass a CR to keep the government funded, the issue will be the period of time for which the CR is authorized. The current CR proposal (which includes a recent request by the Administration for funding to combat ISIS), extends funding until December 11, 2014. However, there is a push to consider a CR that will extend the CR until March 1, 2015. Senate conservatives are pushing for the extended CR in hopes that they will take control of the Senate following the upcoming Congressional elections—thereby avoiding any lame duck session when the budget would be in play.