Senate Advances Spending Bills Amid Government Shutdown Concerns
The Senate aims to fund the government within roughly three weeks, requiring the passage of 12 spending bills. A five-bill package is currently being advanced in the Senate but still requires approval from the House to avoid a shutdown.
Democrats have signaled a willingness to cooperate, contrasting their earlier shutdown of the government for a record 43 days to push expiring Obamacare subsidies. However, a last-minute Democratic blockade stalled progress on the five-bill package, prompting Senate Majority Leader John Thune to consider contingency plans to prevent a government shutdown.
A significant point of contention arose when Colorado Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper blocked action over the plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder. The Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought criticized NCAR, citing concerns about climate alarmism and funding.
Obamacare subsidies are set to expire by the time lawmakers return to session. Both bipartisan and House GOP proposals addressing the subsidies are expected to be voted on in early January.
Meanwhile, the House has passed only a handful of spending bills and has not brought appropriations bills to the floor for months, complicating efforts to complete the five-bill package and increasing the risk of a government shutdown.
