The Senate voted 77-19 Monday to limit debate on a stopgap spending bill that would keep federal operations running until Dec. 11, Reuters reported Monday.Richard Cowan and David Lawder write the procedure clears the way for senators to hold a final vote Wednesday before the legislation returns to the House for further review and avoid a possible Oct. 1 shutdown of the U.S. government.
The bill is designed to also give Congress’ budget negotiators extra time to hammer out a full-year government spending agreement, according to Reuters.
It does not contain language to defund Planned Parenthood but includes provisions to address a backlog of disability claims filed by veterans, boost small business lending and prevent delays in the Joint Polar Satellite System project, David Herzenhorn of the New York Times reports.
The Washington Post reported Republican leaders plan to use a fast-track legislative strategy to stop funding the reproductive health services organization and repeal the healthcare law.
The House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce committees will introduce bills this week in an effort to initiate the budget reconciliation process, according to the story by Kelsey Snell and Katie Zezima.
