Senate leaders are working to pass a short-term government funding bill by tomorrow to thwart a government shutdown, though a handful of Republican senators are holding up a vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said this week he remains optimistic that Democratic and Republican will come together to pass a broader, full-year government spending package but “in the meantime, both sides should come to an agreement to make sure the continuing resolution, the short-term funding of the government, is passed by this chamber and avoid any hint of a government shutdown.”
The House passed a short-term funding bill last week on a bipartisan basis to extend funding through March 11. Now it falls to the Senate to send the bill to President Biden’s desk for signature, but Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and other Republicans are demanding that the Senate first vote to end any remaining federal vaccine mandates.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he expects to reach an agreement on an amendment vote before the CR vote but stated that Republicans would not shut down the government.
“As is often the case, we’ll process a few amendments before doing a short-term CR,” McConnell told reporters this week. “I think it’ll all be worked out. There’s no danger of a government shutdown.”
Republican and Democratic budget negotiators are working to reach an agreement on fiscal year 2022 omnibus spending package before the new March 11 deadline.
