House GOP offers stop-gap bill to prevent shutdown

WASHINGTON – House Republicans introduced a bill Saturday to prevent a government shutdown next week, but their stop-gap funding measure would last only until Dec. 22 — creating another shutdown scenario just days before Christmas.

Current funding to keep the government running is set to expire at midnight Friday.

On Saturday, House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen offered a bill to keep the government funded at existing levels for two weeks to give lawmakers more time to reach a deal to fund the government through September.

But Democrats were skeptical. “I am eager to know what Republican leadership believes they can accomplish in the next two weeks that they haven’t been able to accomplish in the last two months,” said Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, the senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.

Congress had planned to adjourn for the year on Dec. 15, but a new Dec. 22 funding deadline could keep them in session a week longer.

“Continuing funding for federal operations is critical to our nation’s stability, our economy, and for the well-being of the American people,” Frelinghuysen, RN.J., said in a statement. “It is a necessary step to ensure the programs and services that all Americans rely on are maintained and available to all.”

House GOP leaders hope that members of Congress will cut a quick deal so they can leave town for the holidays. But conservatives have said they will resist pressure to increase spending and make concessions to Democrats.

Democrats have vowed not to vote for any bill that does not include protections for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. President Donald Trump has acted to remove protections for the young immigrants, known as DREAMers, that were put in place by President Barack Obama.

In the end, Republican leaders may be forced to make some concessions to Democrats to pass a funding bill, especially if conservatives balk at a deal. The Senate will need Democratic support to pass a bill since Republicans hold only a slim majority in that chamber. It takes a super-majority of 60 votes to pass a funding bill in the Senate, and Republicans hold just 52 seats.