Top GOP negotiator warns lawmakers ‘stop playing with fire’ before shutdown deadline

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, warned lawmakers to “stop playing with fire” hours before an impending deadline to prevent a partial government shutdown.

“I want to warn my colleagues: Failure to act at midnight will result in a partial government shutdown tonight,” Collins said. “It would affect the Department of Agriculture. It would disrupt the operations of the Food and Drug Administration. It would hinder future military construction projects.”

Her comments come as Congressional leaders work quickly to pass a major funding package that was approved by the House earlier this week.

The Senate advanced the bill over procedural hurdles Friday by a vote of 63-35.

The 1,050-page package calls for more than $450 billion in funding for the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Commerce, and Energy.

While senators remain optimistic that the bill will pass the Senate on Friday, concerns are growing on both sides as leaders finalize an agreement to vote on the amendments.

“Unfortunately, it’s getting a little bit more complicated,” Sen. John Thune (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters Friday afternoon as he discussed the path forward.

Thune was among 34 Republicans who voted Friday against advancing the bill to a final vote.

“So I think within the next few hours we’ll understand what this situation is going to be and how we’re going to end it. But right now they’re blocking a vote on the amendment.”

Amendments sought by some Republicans include measures targeting funding lines and other measures in troublesome areas such as the border.

“If they’re going to lock something in place, they’re going to make sure these votes are on the next ballot.” [appropriations bill] There may be a way to go down that path,” Thun said.