Congress is weighing a weeklong stopgap measure to avoid a government shutdown after current funding runs out Friday.
A House Democratic leadership aide said that a one-week stopgap measure is likely as negotiators continue ironing out a full-year spending bill in which long-stalled coronavirus economic relief would be attached.
Another Democratic aide cautioned that a stopgap bill, known as a continuing resolution, is possible but not set in stone yet.
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The acknowledgement that lawmakers may need to turn to a short-term funding patch comes despite House Democrats originally aiming to wrap up their 2020 work by the end of next week.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyPelosi bullish on COVID-19 relief: ‘We cannot leave without it’ House Democrats pick DeLauro to lead Appropriations panel The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – Dem leaders back smaller COVID-19 relief bill as pandemic escalates MORE (R-Ala.) predicted earlier this week that Congress would need a short-term funding bill to give the negotiators more time to complete a mammoth spending package.
House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerAlabama Republican becomes third House member to test positive for COVID-19 this week House Democrats pick DeLauro to lead Appropriations panel Congress faces late-year logjam MORE (D-Md.) said that he had hoped to let members go home by the end of next week to give them enough time to quarantine if necessary before spending Christmas with their families. But a stopgap funding bill lasting through Dec. 18 would delay that timeline.
Three House members — Reps. Austin ScottJames (Austin) Austin ScottAlabama Republican becomes third House member to test positive for COVID-19 this week Thompson named top Republican on Agriculture Democrats eye Dec. 11 exit for House due to COVID-19 MORE (R-Ga.), Ted BuddTheodore (Ted) Paul BuddDemocrats eye Dec. 11 exit for House due to COVID-19 The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – Barr splits with Trump on election; pardon controversy North Carolina GOP congressman tests positive for COVID-19 MORE (R-N.C.) and Robert AderholtRobert Brown AderholtCongress eyes 1-week stopgap, longer session to reach deal Alabama Republican becomes third House member to test positive for COVID-19 this week Lobbying world MORE (R-Ala.) — all announced this week that they tested positive for COVID-19 amid a spike in cases nationally and among members of Congress.
Lawmakers are eager to wrap up their work to limit the possibility of the virus spreading in the Capitol as they travel from all over the country and congregate on the House and Senate floors.
House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOn The Money: Unemployment gains lower than expected | Jobs report lights fire under coronavirus relief talks Hillicon Valley: Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security | Biden says China must play by ‘international norms’ | House Democrats use Markup app for leadership contest voting Bipartisan governors call on Congress to pass coronavirus relief package MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOn The Money: Unemployment gains lower than expected | Jobs report lights fire under coronavirus relief talks GOP senators back Christian school’s push for COVID-19 carve-out Bipartisan governors call on Congress to pass coronavirus relief package MORE (R-Ky.) spoke Thursday on a strategy for passing legislation in the coming days to both fund the government and provide COVID-19 economic relief.
“We’ll take the time we need, and we must get it done,” Pelosi told reporters on Friday. “We cannot leave without it.”