Shutdown deferred for another few weeks
The government could have closed down on March 18, but Congress passed yet another funding extension that gives lawmakers three more weeks to reach a compromise on a long-term bill.
It looks like Congress has averted the possibility of the government shutting down tomorrow by passing yet another funding extension that gives lawmakers three more weeks to reach a compromise on a long-term bill.
The Senate passed the latest short-term funding measure today by a vote of 87-13. The House approved the same bill earlier in the week. The bill (H.J. Res 48) would keep the government funded until April 8 and cut an estimated $6 billion in spending.
The existing continuing resolution is set to expire March 18, and the government could have shut upon its expiration.
Related story:
House passes latest short-term funding measure
Republican senators who supported the newest continuing resolution said it would help the GOP meet its target for reducing spending in 2011.
“I think it [the stopgap] keeps us on track to achieve $61 billion in cuts to federal spending for the remainder for this year,” Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said in floor comments, according to The Hill.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney signaled in a statement following the Senate’s passage of the bill, however, that the administration doesn’t want to see any more temporary funding extensions.
“Continuing to fund our government in two or three week increments adds uncertainty to our economy and distracts us from other urgent priorities facing our nation,” Carney said. “Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to come together and find a long-term solution that cuts without impeding our ability to win the future.”
President Barack Obama is soon expected to sign the bill to keep the government running until April 8.
NEXT STORY: Role Reversal