Republican members of the House of Representatives approve short-term funding legislation before the deadline for a government shutdown, creating a crucial challenge for the Senate to address.
The government funding battle is heating up as the Senate Democrats and Republicans prepare to vote on competing funding bills. The House of Representatives has already passed a Republican plan to fund the government through November 21, but the Democratic bill, unlike its counterpart, does not specify a deadline for funding.
The seven-week stopgap bill now makes its way to the Senate. The vote in the House was a close one, with a margin of 217-212. The Democratic bill includes expensive health care changes, such as extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, which Republicans argue is inappropriate to add to a seven-week funding bill. They believe these issues should be negotiated as part of a year-end funding bill.
On the other hand, the Republican plan for funding the government through November 20 includes $30 million in extra security money for members of Congress, $58 million for security for the executive and judicial branches, and a funding "fix" for DC worth $1 billion.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (Republican) has urged Democrats not to block the continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. He has indicated that he will bring the Republican government funding plan to a vote again near September 30. However, Senate Democrats are under pressure to decide whether to back the measure or risk a potential spending stalemate.
In a move to keep the government running, Senate Democrats have refused to give consent for a recess scheduled for next week. Both chambers of Congress are insisting the other side needs to back off their stance, but neither side is blinking. Democratic leaders are under pressure from their base to fight against President Donald Trump and the GOP majority and are eager to use their leverage in this funding fight.
Both competing funding bills are still expected to fail. The deadline for funding is still over a week away, but the stakes are high as both parties dig in their heels in this funding battle. The outcome could have significant implications for the government and its operations, as well as for the political landscape leading up to the 2022 midterm elections.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
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