The House on Wednesday passed a week-long stopgap bill to keep the government open through Dec. 18 before current funding expires this Friday as lawmakers continue to negotiate a longer-term spending package and coronavirus relief.
The bill passed handily, 343-67, and now heads to the Senate for approval where it is expected to be quickly cleared for President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump taps Conway, Chao to government posts in waning days of administrationPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksHouse GOP leader trolls Democrats over reduced majorityMORE’s signature.
House Democratic leaders had initially hoped to wrap up legislative work for the year by the end of this week so that members could go home in time to quarantine for two weeks from any potential COVID-19 exposure from travel and gathering together in the Capitol before spending Christmas with their families.
But with talks over an all-encompassing spending package known as an omnibus and coronavirus relief moving slowly, lawmakers acknowledged that they would need more time. Both sides are keen to avoid a damaging government shutdown during the height of the pandemic.
House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerHouse GOP leader trolls Democrats over reduced majorityHouse approves defense policy bill despite Trump veto threatInauguration committee Republicans sink Democrats’ resolution acknowledging Biden victoryMORE (D-Md.) called the stopgap measure an “admission of failure” as negotiators struggled to reach an agreement.
“This is something we have to do to keep the government working. But we ought not to believe or pretend or represent this is the way we ought to do business. It is not. It is a function of procrastination, a function of failing to come together and making compromises,” Hoyer said on the House floor.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyOn The Money: House to vote Wednesday on a weeklong stopgap to avoid government shutdown | US economy limps into 2021 | Top White House trade adviser violated Hatch Act House to vote Wednesday on a weeklong stopgap to avoid government shutdownThis week: Congress poised to buy more time on spending, coronavirus talksMORE (R-Ala.) said Wednesday that negotiators had reached agreement on most issues for the omnibus package but still had some sticking points.
“We were at probably 95 percent closure a couple of days ago,” Shelby told reporters in the Capitol. “Weve got to get a deal. I think perhaps the omnibus and the COVID relief are kind of linked.”
The House passed 10 of the annual 12 appropriations bills earlier this year, but the Senate has yet to pass any of its versions of full-year spending bills.
Lawmakers are expected to attach coronavirus relief to the spending package since it’s a must-pass bill that offers an available legislative vehicle.
Congressional leaders and the Trump administration have failed to reach a deal on coronavirus economic relief since the summer. But with COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths spiking nationally and unemployment insurance and eviction moratorium programs set to expire this month, lawmakers are under pressure to pass a bill to provide at least some relief before the holidays.
A bipartisan group of centrist members of the House and Senate circulated a $908 billion coronavirus relief proposal on Wednesday that would provide $160 billion to state and local governments, extend expiring unemployment insurance programs and provide a $300 weekly boost into April.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump taps Conway, Chao to government posts in waning days of administrationPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksMcCarthy says he and McConnell back 0 stimulus checksMORE (R-Ky.) on Tuesday suggested setting aside two of the biggest sticking points liability protections for businesses and funding for state and local governments and moving a pared-down bill with provisions that already have bipartisan consensus.
But Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksMcCarthy says he and McConnell back 0 stimulus checksBipartisan fix for ‘surprise’ medical bills hits roadblockMORE (D-Calif.) shot down the idea hours later and argued that funding for state and local governments is necessary for vaccine distribution.
Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven MnuchinPelosi, Schumer hit Trump but cite ‘progress’ in COVID relief talksMcCarthy says he and McConnell back 0 stimulus checksSupport grows for stimulus checks, but they may waitMORE also on Tuesday offered a $916 billion proposal to Democrats that includes funding for state and local governments and liability protections. But Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck SchumerChuck SchumerMcCarthy says he and McConnell back 0 stimulus checksRomney: ‘Nuts’ to invite doctor who questioned coronavirus vaccine to Senate hearing Schumer calls on Biden to bypass Congress and forgive K in student loans per personMORE (D-N.Y.) said it didn’t provide enough funding for unemployment insurance.