Early Friday morning, the House of Representatives approved a must-pass spending bill that brought Congress steps closer to avoiding a government shutdown. Soon after the bill was signed, however, Democratic lawmakers asserted that various aspects of the bill would ensure it would not be passed in the Senate.
Government Shutdown Possible
In an after-midnight vote on Friday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved a bill that would keep the government operating through Nov. 18. It would also provide $3.65 billion for disaster relief during one of the most extreme years for weather in the nation’s history.
Similar to fears of a government shutdown in April, lawmakers are in a position to pass a spending bill that will provide funding for national parks, law enforcement, government workers, military troops, work and food safety inspectors, international travel and more. If it is not passed, the government could be in danger of a shutdown next Friday.
Further, aid for victims of various disasters this year, including tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes could dry up by Monday if Congress doesn’t replenish a dwindling relief fund.
Senate Vows to Defeat Spending Bill
Democrats in the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly against the spending bill on the grounds that disaster aid was inadequate. However, they were outnumbered by Republicans, and the bill passed in the House.
However, Senate Democrats say the bill won’t pass so easily on their side. They also disagree with the amount of disaster aid included in the bill, noting that a $1.5 billion cut to an electric-vehicle program–included to partially offset the increased disaster aid–would hurt the economy.
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said, “It fails to provide the relief that our fellow Americans need as they struggle to rebuild their lives in the wake of floods, wildfires and hurricanes, and it will be rejected by the Senate.”
While the Senate is threatening to reject the bill, the House announced that it intends to adjourn for a week-long break Friday. After news of the Democrats’ decision to defeat the bill, Eric Cantor, No. 2 House Republican, stated “I guess Harry Reid will have to bear the burden of denying the disaster victims the money they need.”
