American Republicans expect not to vote on a temporary law this week as the shutdown approaches
Written by David Morgan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives said they do not expect to move forward this week on a stopgap funding measure to keep federal agencies open, even with the possibility of a government shutdown just 10 days away.
Instead, House Speaker Mike Johnson was scheduled to present at least three options for a temporary solution known as a continuing resolution, or “CR,” to lawmakers at a closed-door GOP convention Tuesday morning, the lawmakers said.
Funding for government operations is set to expire on November 17 unless Congress approves a stopgap spending measure that President Joe Biden can sign into law before the deadline. Otherwise, federal agencies will have to close their doors for an indefinite period.
But with this week already cut short by the observance of Veterans Day on Friday, three Republican lawmakers who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the House was unlikely to approve a CR this week. One lawmaker said the Republican policy of waiting three days before voting on legislation left little time for action this week.
House Republicans are scheduled to focus their agenda for the week on passing their partisan appropriations bills for 2024.
Another lawmaker said Republicans are considering at least three options for structuring the CR, including a “tiered” option that would set separate deadlines in December and January, which is when the House and Senate would reach compromise legislation on specific 2024 appropriations bills. Details It was uncertain.
Republicans will also consider a more traditional bill that extends through January 19, leaving December for lawmakers to work on appropriations bills and supplemental funding requests including Israel, Ukraine and other priorities.
The third option would be to negotiate with the Democratic-led Senate on a bill that could quickly pass both chambers, the lawmaker said.
The House has passed seven of 12 2024 appropriations bills and will try to pass two more this week, aimed at funding transportation, housing and urban development; and financial services. The Senate approved three appropriations bills in a package known as the minibus.
While the Senate legislation has strong bipartisan support, the House has only passed partisan Republican measures that Democrats oppose.
Only one category of appropriations legislation, covering military construction and veterans’ benefits, passed the two chambers in markedly different forms.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Stephen Coates)
