Answer:
to set federal government spending at the same level as the year before
Step-by-step explanation:
Generally a continuing resolution is passed by Congress if the national budget is not yet approved or agreed upon. The budget must be approved every year with an appropriations law, but sometimes the process is delayed. Then Congress generally passes a continuing resolution to make sure that federal agencies' budgets will not be affected, and that they can continue to operate with the same budget as the previous year until the current year's budget is approved.
If Congress didn't pass the continuous resolution, the government agencies would not be able to function because they lack funds.