Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that senators should expect a short-term continuing resolution that would fund government operations at current funding levels while negotiations remain on a full-year funding agreement, NBC News reported Tuesday.

“Later this week, members should be prepared to take quick action on a CR — a one-week CR, so we can give appropriators more time to finish a full funding bill before the holidays,” Schumer remarked. 

In September, President Biden signed a stopgap bill to keep U.S. government operations funded at the existing level through Dec. 16. Congress must pass an omnibus appropriations package before the deadline ends to prevent a federal shutdown.

As the funding deadline approaches, Schumer said appropriators have been negotiating to “reach a deal, even if it’s not going to be everything both sides want.”

Republican leaders are calling for a higher level of military funding than domestic funding in the spending package. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said that Democrats have previously increased domestic spending “using party-line reconciliation bills outside the normal appropriations process.”

“If our Democratic colleagues can’t accept those realities, the option will be a short-term bipartisan funding bill into early next year,” McConnell stated.

Defense Innovation Unit and the National Contract Management Association will collaborate on implementing practices for acquiring emerging commercial technologies under a memorandum of understanding.

Both companies will exchange information and resources on programs and activities to co-develop best practices and advance technology acquisition processes for the Defense Department and the U.S. government through the utilization of DIU’s Other Transaction authority, the DIU said Monday.

The partnership reflects DIU’s refined processes around its Commercial Solutions Opening, aimed at offering new capabilities to the DOD.

“This partnership brings robust and powerful education and networking opportunities for the community to best deliver innovation,” said NCMA CEO Kraig Conrad.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said the service branch will test the technologies developed for its future destroyer, attack submarine and fighter before moving forward with large-scale production to ensure the maturity and cost-effectiveness of the platforms, USNI News reported Monday. 

“So, my hope, in the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps, is that before we move forward with producing the next DDG(X), SSN(X) and NGAD, is that we have designed maturity on these platforms,” Del Toro said.

The Navy is working on new programs to develop a new class of guided-missile destroyers, a next-generation nuclear attack submarine and future fighter and unmanned combat aircraft.

Del Toro noted that cost performance and risk management will be prioritized for the new systems. 

The official said the Navy must “be realistic” about how fast it should make progress with the development of the new platform before committing to a major acquisition program.

Boeing has finalized an order from United Airlines for 100 787 Dreamliner airplanes with the option to purchase 100 more, marking the largest widebody order by a U.S. carrier in commercial aviation history.

The notable aerospace contractor’s deal with the airline expands the multitude of current United orders for Boeing jets, which have surpassed 530 in total, Boeing announced from North Charleston, South Carolina on Tuesday.

“With this investment in its future fleet, the 737 MAX and 787 will help United accelerate its fleet modernization and global growth strategy,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. 

“The Boeing team is honored by United’s trust in our family of airplanes to connect people and transport cargo around the world for decades to come,” he added.

Boeing is expected to deliver the 787 planes between 2024 and 2032. United is able to choose from the 787-8, 9, and 10 models to ensure adaptability across the airline’s wide expanse of routes. 

Selected planes will succeed retiring 767 and 777 aircraft to enhance United’s efficiency and flexibility. These aircraft offer a potential 25 percent improvement in fuel use, which is determined by the configuration of the plane it replaces.

United will also exercise 44 existing options and place 56 new orders for 100 total 737 MAX jets, a line designed to maximize fuel efficiency and increase reliability in the single-aisle market. Depending on the configuration of the plane it supplants, the 737 MAX may reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions by up to 20 percent.

The first 44 737 MAX aircraft are to be delivered between 2024 and 2026, while the 56 new orders will be provided between 2027 and 2028.

“This order further solidifies our lead and creates new opportunities for our customers, employees and shareholders by accelerating our plan to connect more people to more places around the globe and deliver the best experience in the sky,” United CEO Scott Kirby commented.

Boeing’s provision of these planes will progress the United Next plan, which is intended to update and elevate the airline’s fleet.