House Republicans offer stop-gap bill to prevent government shutdown next week

Erin Kelly | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — House Republicans introduced a bill Saturday to prevent a government shutdown next week, but their stop-gap funding measure would last only until Dec. 22 — creating another shutdown scenario just days before Christmas.

Current funding to keep the government running is set to expire at midnight Friday unless Congress acts.

On Saturday, House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen offered a bill to keep the government funded at existing levels for an additional two weeks to give lawmakers more time to reach a deal on a bill to fund the government through September.

But Democrats were skeptical.

"I am eager to know what Republican leadership believes they can accomplish in the next two weeks that they haven't been able to accomplish in the last two months," said Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, the senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.

More: With time running out, Congress scrambles to avoid a government shutdown

More: Pelosi and Schumer pull out of meeting with Trump after he says a spending deal is unlikely

Congress had planned to adjourn for the year on Dec. 15, but a new Dec. 22 funding deadline could keep them in session a week longer to battle over spending details.

"Continuing funding for federal operations is critical to our nation’s stability, our economy, and for the well-being of the American people," Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., said in a statement. "It is a necessary step to ensure the programs and services that all Americans rely on are maintained and available to all."

House GOP leaders hope that members of Congress will cut a quick deal so they can leave town for the holidays. But conservatives have said they will resist pressure to increase spending and make concessions to Democrats.

Democrats have vowed not to vote for any bill that does not include protections for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. President Trump has acted to remove protections for the young immigrants, known as DREAMers, that were put in place by President Obama.

In the end, Republican leaders may be forced to make some concessions to Democrats to pass a funding bill, especially if conservatives balk at a deal. The Senate will need Democratic support to pass a bill since Republicans hold only a slim majority in that chamber. It takes a super-majority of 60 votes to pass a funding bill in the Senate, and Republicans hold just 52 seats.

Congress and the White House still must agree on overall spending levels in addition to how the money will be spent.

"This (stop-gap bill) will allow for additional time for a deal to be reached on top-line spending levels for this fiscal year," Frelinghuysen said. "Once this agreement is made, my Committee will rapidly go to work with the Senate to complete the final legislation."

Negotiations broke down Tuesday when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., cancelled plans to meet with President Trump and Republican congressional leaders at the White House to talk about a funding deal.

Democrats refused to attend the meeting after Trump tweeted earlier that day that he didn't see a deal happening because the Democratic leaders "want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes."