Congress approved a $1.2 trillion funding bill ahead of a Friday night shutdown deadline, aiming to quickly pass the expansive bill despite outrage from conservatives on both sides of the aisle. are competing towards.
The House and Senate have less than 30 hours to pass six bills, as lawmakers try to avoid a partial government shutdown and avoid a weekend of voting. The bill would maintain funding for numerous departments past midnight Friday.
As that deadline approaches, leaders in both chambers are pushing back against conservatives who have been vocal about the bill, especially from the House, touting the bill’s high costs and denouncing the various spending it includes. Ignoring the criticism, the review process is in full swing. He is aiming for leadership by eliminating controversial policy provisions and bringing legislation to the floor.
“A bipartisan deal would mean some Democrats and some Republicans would drop out,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana).
Asked if he was confident the bill could pass the House, Scalise said, “Yes.”
The six-bill package provides funding for about three-quarters of the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and Department of State. .
Both sides claim the bill is a victory. Democrats point to investments in child care and domestic programs, while Republican leaders tout increases in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention beds and cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. There is. .
Passage of the bill would end a long and winding road to funding for fiscal year 2024, which included four continuing resolutions and would replace the first sitting chair in history. The connection caused dissatisfaction among members of both parties. room.
Leaders are keen to bring the drawn-out process to an end.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.Y.) said on the floor Thursday morning that some of those involved in the spending process are likely “past the point of exhaustion.” added.
The House is scheduled to consider the spending bill around 9 a.m. ET Friday, followed by a vote at 11 a.m. The House is considering the bill under a suspension of rules. It’s an expedited process that eliminates the need to first pass rules that conservatives would likely dislike, but would still require two-thirds support.
In addition to the decision to hold a vote less than 72 hours after the document’s release, hard-liners have challenged leadership, especially House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), for procedural maneuvers to bring the bill to the floor. They are accusing them of using the service, which is a violation. The “72-hour rule” has been stubbornly advocated by hard-liners in all parliaments.
“He’s struck a deal with Mr. Schumer, he’s brought the floor to a vote, and he’s dictated the terms of it, including the suspension of the rules and the 72-hour waiver. So, yes, he’s responsible for this bill. That’s going to happen,” said Congressman Bob. Good, R-Va., chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said of Johnson:
They also expressed concerns about things like funding set aside for a new FBI headquarters in Maryland and money going to facilities that support the LGBTQ community.
The spending measure is expected to pass the House with support from centrist Democrats and Republicans, despite opposition from conservatives and pushback from progressives, particularly against a provision that would defund the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). It is expected.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said Thursday that he expects a “substantial majority” of Democrats to vote in favor of the bill.
The bill will then be introduced in the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to quickly take up the bill to avert a government shutdown and quickly leave Washington for the two-week Easter break.
The Senate is widely expected to give the minibuses the green light at some point on Friday, averting a temporary partial shutdown, despite fears that final passage could take until the weekend.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Tuesday that he had told his Republican colleagues that they were “likely to be here this weekend,” but that he had changed his mind.
Senate leaders have been working on a series of amendments for two weeks since the last federal funding deadline. One source said Republican leaders hope to keep the final number of amendments to fewer than a dozen.
Among the Republican amendments that could receive a vote is one proposed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a prominent critic of the package, who has maintained final passage. They are not expected to do so and will be forced to compromise their time. The aim is to obtain amendment votes on items related to spending cuts.
“Our concern is that the spending levels underlying this spending bill will lead to a $1.5 trillion deficit, and we believe the biggest threat to our country is debt. …Therefore, we will be introducing amendments to reduce spending,” Paul said. “We think it’s very important to have a conversation about the debt levels that our country faces.”
Votes are also expected on amendments related to the situation at the southern border, including the Laken-Riley bill introduced last week by Senate Republicans. Senator Ted Budd (RN.C.) called The amendments are expected to be introduced at a press conference on Thursday.
Other issues in the Senate are weighing on hopes that the policy will cross the finish line on Friday. Many parliamentary delegations are scheduled to leave this weekend for a two-week recess.
Lawmakers also noted that the funeral for the mother of Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-Maine) will be held in her home state on Saturday.
Alexander Bolton and Sarah Fortinsky contributed.
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