Congress is expected to soon pass a short-term measure designed to keep the government in business for the next 10 days, says sources.
The move comes as members of both parties in both chambers are working to avoid a partial government shutdown scheduled for midnight December 16.
Lawmakers hope to be able to pass a spending bill. But differences exist over what should be in that spending bill. According to Alabama Senator Richard Shelby, there is a gap of around $25 billion in terms of budget priorities.
The spending bill is expected to come in at around $1.6 trillion.
A continuing resolution in the House is designed to keep the government fully funded through December 23. Speaking to reporters, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer declared, “We have no intention of shutting down the government.”
Domestic and non-defense related spending levels remain one of the primary differences between the two parties as the shutdown deadline nears.
Congressional leaders have maintained that the likelihood of an actual government shutdown appears remote, even as a document issued from the Office of Management and Budget has said it will work with senior agency officials in order to “review and update orderly shutdown plans.”
By Garry Boulard
