Leaders in the House and Senate expect to complete their negotiations on a $1.1 trillion omnibus bill to fund government operations for a full year by Monday, The Hill newspaper reported Thursday.
Alexander Bolton writes the Senate has approved a stopgap spending measure to extend funding until Wednesday and give congressional negotiators more time to work on the spending package.
House lawmakers aim to pass the five-day funding extension before midnight Friday to avoid a government shutdown.
The omnibus bill includes provisions to remove expiration dates for small business and research and development, earned income, college education and child tax credits, Bolton reports.
Negotiators also seek to insert a two-year ban on the healthcare reform law’s insurance and medical device tax policies into the broader spending bill.
Defense News reported the public and private sectors are keeping an eye on Congress’ budgetary efforts.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) was quoted as saying a shutdown of the government would be “terrible” for U.S. citizens, federal employees and businesses.
