Congress is working toward an agreement on a short-term spending bill to help clear the path to adjourn earlier than expected for the election season.
Senate leadership is looking to take up a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 9 this week in an effort to clear the measure weeks before the beginning of the new fiscal year on October 1. While House Republicans have not yet finalized their plans to ensure that a CR passes this month, with the exception of hard-line conservatives, House Republican leadership is generally in favor of the Senate’s strategy. In addition to funding the government through early December, the plan would also have Congress pass smaller packages of appropriations bills during an anticipated lame duck session rather than take on an all-encompassing omnibus package.
Democrats have already begun outlining their goals for funding legislation, including defense and non-defense parity and avoiding controversial policy riders. Congressional leaders are expected to meet with Obama at the White House on Monday to discuss the path forward on a CR.
Source: The Hill