Appropriators are now discussing a stopgap spending bill that would extend federal spending at the current level through Dec. 20, CQ reported Monday. The current spending plan expires Nov. 21.
The White House has indicated President Trump would sign a new continuing resolution, but the President himself has left open the possibility of shutting the government down instead.
The new date could shift as lawmakers meet over the coming days to work out the details.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) plan to meet Tuesday evening to jump-start talks on the spending bills.
House and Senate leaders still insist that Congress will try to reach agreement on all 12 spending bills before the end of the year, even as the impeachment process heightens partisan tensions. There’s a growing consensus that relying on another CR into the new year would cause long-term fiscal problems for DOD and other agencies.
Army photo of Rep. Nita Lowey by Pfc. William Hatton
Post-Leadership, McConnell Plans to Push for More Defense Funding
When Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell steps down from his Senate leadership role after the November elections, he’ll have at least two more years in the Senate. Now he’s signaled one of his priorities as a rank-and-file Senator is to increase defense funding,...
