Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing the passage of a short-term stopgap bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown ahead of Friday’s&n
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing the passage of a short-term stopgap bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown ahead of Friday’s deadline.
“As we wait for the House to take the next steps, I encourage my colleagues on the Senate to review the legislation. We’ll pass it before the end of the week,” McConnell said Monday.
Lawmakers have to pass legislation funding the government by Friday to prevent a shutdown.
The House Appropriations Committee introduced legislation over the weekend that would fund the government for two weeks, through Dec. 22 .
A vote in the House is expected as soon as Wednesday on the measure.
“This bill, one without any controversial policy riders, will continue government funding and give the House and Senate time to complete their work on a long-term solution,” McConnell added Monday .
Republicans will need the support of Democrats to get the bill through the Senate and potentially the House, where conservatives are worried that an end-of-the-year bill will get loaded down with Democratic priorities.
Democrats have yet to say if they support passing a two-week continuing resolution.
McConnell, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are expected to go to the White House on Thursday to discuss year-end negotiations.
Schumer said negotiators are continuing to talk, but said Trump’s rhetoric is throwing a “monkey wrench” into the process.
“Nobody should want to see a government shutdown. We should all be working to avoid one. And I must say I don’t believe my Republican friends… want a government shutdown. The only one at the moment who’s flirted with a shutdown is President Trump,” he said.
