Republican leaders delay vote on budget

WASHINGTON — Top Republicans delayed a planned House vote on a short-term budget bill Tuesday to give themselves time to quell party divisions and avert a partial government shutdown by the weekend.

With conservatives insisting on commitments to curb spending, a House vote on the temporary measure planned for Wednesday will instead occur Thursday, said a GOP leadership aide. In a further signal of problems, the House Rules Committee announced it had postponed a planned meeting from Tuesday until Wednesday to work out debating rules for the budget measure.

The staffer spoke on condition of anonymity because the staffer was not authorized to speak publicly about internal party discussions.

The delay underscored the clout that conservatives wield within the House GOP as the party aims to push legislation through the House and Senate this week to keep federal agencies functioning. A partial shutdown would occur at midnight Friday night unless the Republican-led Congress approves more money, and a closure due to GOP fissures would be a jarring political blow to a party straining all year to show it can govern effectively.

The short-term legislation is designed to give bargainers more time to address remaining disputes over spending levels and other issues that have been folded into the year-end mix, including immigration and health care. Congressional leaders from both parties plan budget talks with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.

Without support from their own conservatives, House GOP leaders would need backing from Democrats to push a temporary measure through the chamber.