Lawmakers reach deal on spending bill

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders reached agreement Thursday on a spending bill that would keep the government running through mid-february, though a temporary federal shutdown was still possible this weekend because some Republican senators are objecting to the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

The measure, expected to be taken up by the House later Thursday, would keep spending at current levels to Feb. 18 while including $7 billion to aid Afghanistan evacuees.

Rep. Rosa Delauro, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, had pushed for a much shorter duration, but Republicans said more time was needed to settle differences on a spending bill covering the entire budget year through September.

“While I wish it were earlier, this agreement allows the appropriations process to move forward toward a final funding agreement which addresses the needs of the American people,” Delauro, D-conn., said in a statement.

If the House approves the measure, as expected, it would await Senate action before a midnight Friday deadline.

A White House statement urged “swift passage.” But conservative Republicans opposed to President Joe

Biden’s vaccine rules want Congress to take a hard stand against the mandated shots, even if that means shutting down federal offices over the weekend.

One GOP senator after another, after leaving a private lunch meeting Wednesday, expressed concern that they will be blamed for even a short stoppage that will not play well with the public. In the Senate, any single senator can hold up proceedings to stall a vote.