### Recent Use of Continuing Resolutions (CRs) in the US Federal Budget Process
Since the last full, on-time budget (all 12 regular appropriations bills enacted by October 1) was passed for fiscal year (FY) 1997, Congress has relied on continuing resolutions (CRs) in **every subsequent fiscal year** to avoid government shutdowns. CRs are temporary funding measures that extend prior-year spending levels for some or all federal agencies until full appropriations are completed. They have become a routine workaround, often chaining multiple short-term CRs per year.
"Recently" can vary by context, but focusing on the post-2010 era (a common benchmark in analyses of modern budget dysfunction) provides a clear picture of the frequency. Below, I'll break down the data based on nonpartisan sources like the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Bipartisan Policy Center.
#### Total CRs Since FY 2011 (Through FY 2025)
- From FY 2011 to FY 2022: **47 CRs** enacted (ranging from 1 day to 176 days each).
- FY 2023: **4 CRs** (a "laddered" approach extending funding incrementally before full appropriations).
- FY 2024: **4 CRs** (similar short-term extensions leading to a minibus package).
- FY 2025: **3 CRs** (September 2024 through December 2024; December 2024 through March 2025; March 2025 full-year CR through September 30, 2025).
- **Grand total since FY 2011: 58 CRs**.
This averages about **4.8 CRs per fiscal year**—aligning with the broader post-1998 trend of ~5 per year (138 total CRs from FY 1998–2025).
| Fiscal Year Range | Number of CRs | Average Duration per CR | Notes |
|-------------------|---------------|--------------------------|-------|
| FY 2011–2022 (12 years) | 47 | ~30–60 days | Includes shutdown threats in 2013 and 2018; full-year CR in 2013. |
| FY 2023–2024 (2 years) | 8 | 30–90 days | "Laddered" CRs for partial funding; led to omnibus packages. |
| FY 2025 (1 year) | 3 | 45–180 days | Culminated in a full-year CR due to partisan disputes. |
| **Total (15 years)** | **58** | ~45 days | No full on-time budget; CRs funded government for ~4 months/year on average. |
#### Why So Many? Key Drivers
- **Structural Issues**: The 12 appropriations bills are due by October 1, but partisan gridlock, elections, and competing priorities (e.g., debt ceiling fights) delay them. Since 1997, zero fiscal years have met the deadline.
- **Full-Year CRs**: These count as one CR but fund the entire year at prior levels, stifling new programs. They've occurred 4 times since 1997 (FY 2007, 2011, 2013, 2025).
- **Impacts**: CRs create uncertainty—agencies delay hiring, contracts, and R&D (e.g., Pentagon readiness dips). A GAO study found they add administrative burdens and inefficiencies costing billions indirectly.
For FY 2026 (starting October 1, 2025), early CR proposals (e.g., H.R. 5371) suggest the pattern will continue unless reforms like automatic sequestrations are enforced. If you'd like details on a specific year, full-year CRs, or potential fixes, let me know!