Congress Scrambles To Extend Gov’t Shutdown Deadline

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2012, file photo House Minority Leader, Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California, second from left, House Speaker, Republican John Boehner of Ohio, Senate Minority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnel... FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2012, file photo House Minority Leader, Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California, second from left, House Speaker, Republican John Boehner of Ohio, Senate Minority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada, take turns speaking to reporters outside the White House in Washington after their meeting with President Barack Obama. Cs. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) MORE LESS
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The federal government runs out of funding in two days and Congress still doesn’t have a bill to prevent that from happening.

Congressional leaders are scrambling to extend the Dec. 11 midnight deadline while they hammer out the details of the “CRomnibus” — a combined omnibus to fund most of government through September, and a continuing resolution (or CR) to keep the immigration-enforcing Department of Homeland Security on a short leash through March.

Leaders are mulling a short-term CR of current spending levels to avoid a temporary shutdown on Thursday at midnight, and may extend funding for as little as a few days.

“It now seems inevitable,” a House GOP leadership aide said of a short-term CR.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told reporters on Tuesday that the upper chamber may have to work through the weekend and potentially next week. He said there’s no reason the government should shut down, adding that he’d be happy to vote for a short-term CR to prevent a lapse in funding.

The CRomnibus will likely include legislative riders, including one to prevent D.C. from taxing and regulating marijuana after it passed a ballot initiative to legalize it. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is pushing for a rider to loosen campaign finance laws.

The Republican-led House is hoping to wrap up passage of the CRomnibus by Thursday. If senators consent, the Senate could pass it quickly, although it’s unclear that will happen.

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Notable Replies

  1. “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told reporters on Tuesday that
    the upper chamber may have to work through the weekend and potentially
    next week.”

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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  2. Avatar for don don says:

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    RASPUTIN couldn’t stomach it.

  3. Avatar for dnl dnl says:

    One of the Pills is to raise the amount of campaign money that can be donated.

    MakingBuyingElections more efficient.

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