House Republicans introduced a stop-gap funding measure late Wednesday night to keep the government funded through May 5, while lawmakers hammer out final legislation that would fund the government through September.
The continuing resolution measure, introduced by House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), would keep the government open at current funding levels and give Congress time to finalize a spending package for the rest of the fiscal year.
œThis continuing resolution will continue to keep the government open and operating as normal for the next several days, in order to finalize legislation to fund the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year, Frelinghuysen said in a statement.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) issued a statement in support of the one-week stop gap measure, saying that œwe™ve made substantial progress on an agreement to complete the 2017 appropriations process and that passing the continuing resolution would allow Congress œextra time to enact overdue legislation to provide for national defense and meet our country™s needs.
The sticking points that necessitated this stop-gap measure appear to be negotiations over funds for the border wall and for Obamacare subsidies. The Trump administration at first demanded that legislation include money for a border wall, but backed away from that position after Democrat resistance. The While House has also signaled willingness to pay Obamacare subsidies through September.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said œprogress has been made œon both of these fronts.
Appropriators received praise from both Democrat and Republican lawmakers for their continued work on a funding proposal that will keep government open.
œI am optimistic that a final funding package will be completed soon. It is time that this essential work is completed so that critical programs and activities “ including national defense “are properly and adequately funded for the year, said Chairman Frelinghuysen.
