what is a cr bill in congress

A CR (Continuing Resolution) is a type of appropriations legislation that provides temporary funding for the federal government when Congress and the President do not reach an agreement on the spending levels and enact regular appropriations by the start of the federal fiscal year in October. A CR generally continues the level of funding from the prior years appropriations or the previously approved CR from the current year. Full-year CRs provide appropriations for the remainder of the fiscal year and are functionally similar to final appropriations. A CR can include changes from the prior years budget that could alter the rate at which funds are utilized, extend an expiring program authority, or provide a specific dollar amount of funding to a program during the CR. Congress has passed 47 CRs between FY 2010-2022, ranging from 1 to 176 days (just under 6 months) . If Congress fails to pass a CR or a regular appropriations bill, the government may shut down, resulting in the temporary closure of non-essential government services and furloughs of federal employees.