Congress is racing the clock to approve a $1.2 trillion funding bill ahead of Friday’s night’s shutdown deadline, aiming to pass the sprawling legislation quickly despite intense outrage from conservatives on both sides of the Capitol.
The House and Senate have less than 30 hours to pass the six-bill package — which will keep a slew of departments and agencies funded past Friday at midnight — as lawmakers look to avert a partial government shutdown and avoid a weekend full of votes.
With that deadline looming, leaders in both chambers are kicking the consideration process into high gear, ignoring the sharp criticisms from conservatives — particularly in the House — who are hammering the legislation’s high price tag, denouncing various expenditures in the measure, speaking out about the exclusion of their controversial policy riders, and taking aim at leadership for the way they are bringing the bill to the floor.
On any bipartisan agreement you have some Democrats and some Republicans that drop off, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said.
Asked if he is confident the bill will clear the lower chamber, Scalise responded yeah.
The six-bill package lays out funding for roughly three-quarters of the federal government, including the departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and State.
Both sides are claiming victories in the legislation: Democrats have pointed to investments in child care and domestic programs, while GOP leaders are touting an increase in the number of detention beds for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Passage of the measure will bring to a close the long and winding road that has been funding fiscal year 2024, which has included four continuing resolutions, led to the first-ever ouster of a sitting Speaker, and sparked frustration among members in both parties and chambers.
