Senate Advances Continuing Resolution to Avoid December’s Gov’t Shutdown

The Senate has approved a seven-week continuing resolution for 2019 in an effort to prevent a potential government shutdown by end of the week, Federal News Network reported Wednesday. 

The resolution would provide a budget through Feb. 8 to the agencies still operating without full-year 2019 appropriations.

However, the measure filed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., does not include the proposed 1.9 percent pay raise for civilian employees in the coming year. 

But Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said he plans to propose an amendment to the resolution to include the increase. 

House Republicans said in October that they also agreed with Senate counterparts to provide civilian employees across the government the 1.9 percent raise. 

The House is expected to vote on the continuing resolution on Thursday and President Trump must sign the measure on Friday to avoid the partial government shutdown on Dec. 22.

“Some kind of way, we will avoid the shutdown,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md. “There is pressure coming from a number of places.”