Congressional leaders are preparing a stopgap funding bill that would incorporate the next funding bill into President-elect Donald Trump's second term.
meeting face House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have a Dec. 20 deadline to reach an agreement on funding the government. Another stopgap bill is being prepared to keep the government running.
“Both sides are making progress on a bill that will pass the House and Senate with bipartisan support,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Monday.
“We need to ensure that the government funding extension does not include divisive and unnecessary clauses, otherwise it will become more difficult to pass the CR in time. I'm glad that we're on the right track,” the Senate Democratic leader added.
politiko It reported that Johnson and Trump had discussed strategies for how to fund the government.
President Trump has been uncharacteristically silent on the issue, but time is running out for lawmakers to include the president-elect's position in bipartisan, bicameral negotiations if they want to avoid a government shutdown. Mr. Johnson said he frequently discusses fundraising with Mr. Trump, but the chairman declined to provide details of those discussions.
If Trump accedes to sweeping demands near a deadline when many details are already being worked out, it could increase the chances of a deal falling apart. Neither party wants a shutdown at this point.
House conservatives want a March deadline, but Democrats and spending advocates may want an earlier deadline to prevent potential budget cuts.
Congressional leaders also hope to pass tens of billions of dollars in disaster aid. President Biden has requested up to $98 billion in emergency funding to help victims of hurricanes Helen and Milton.
Sean Moran is a policy reporter at Breitbart News. Follow him on X @SeanMoran3.
