(The Guardian) With Thanksgiving break over, lawmakers have come back to Washington with an ambitious to-do list before the end of the year, including addressing a looming government shut down.
Government funding is set to expire--yet again--on 16 December.
Lawmakers in both parties must now decide if they can successfully hammer out a bipartisan appropriations deal before the deadline, or pass a short-term funding plan. But uncertainty remains at the exact path lawmakers will choose. As veteran appropriators from both parties are set to retire, reports the Washington Post, there is a chance that they may attempt to pass a long-term deal one last time.
But such optimism is not equally held. Idaho representative Mike Simpson, a top Republican appropriator, laughed in response to questions about meeting the funding deadline, reported Politico. “I just don’t think that’s going to happen,” said Simpson. “There’s just too much confusion going on.”
Democrats in particular are also hoping to push some of their legislation through during this “lame duck” session, with Republicans primed to take control of the House next year. “We are going to try to have as productive a lame-duck session as possible,” said Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer in a post-election press briefing. “It’s going to be heavy work, long hours to try and get much done.”
Congress also needs to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual military spending bill that has faced routine opposition from progress lawmakers.
Lawmakers are behind on the bill, reports the Washington Post, as the Senate has not voted on its version.
Other legislation that could be passed before the end of this' year’s session include legislation that would codify same-sex marriage and interracial marriage rights.
This month, a dozen Republicans voted with Democrats to clear a major procedural hurdle for the historic measure.
Schumer said the Senate will take a final vote on the bill when after the Thanksgiving recess.
Government funding is set to expire--yet again--on 16 December.
Lawmakers in both parties must now decide if they can successfully hammer out a bipartisan appropriations deal before the deadline, or pass a short-term funding plan. But uncertainty remains at the exact path lawmakers will choose. As veteran appropriators from both parties are set to retire, reports the Washington Post, there is a chance that they may attempt to pass a long-term deal one last time.
But such optimism is not equally held. Idaho representative Mike Simpson, a top Republican appropriator, laughed in response to questions about meeting the funding deadline, reported Politico. “I just don’t think that’s going to happen,” said Simpson. “There’s just too much confusion going on.”
Democrats in particular are also hoping to push some of their legislation through during this “lame duck” session, with Republicans primed to take control of the House next year. “We are going to try to have as productive a lame-duck session as possible,” said Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer in a post-election press briefing. “It’s going to be heavy work, long hours to try and get much done.”
Congress also needs to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual military spending bill that has faced routine opposition from progress lawmakers.
Lawmakers are behind on the bill, reports the Washington Post, as the Senate has not voted on its version.
Other legislation that could be passed before the end of this' year’s session include legislation that would codify same-sex marriage and interracial marriage rights.
This month, a dozen Republicans voted with Democrats to clear a major procedural hurdle for the historic measure.
Schumer said the Senate will take a final vote on the bill when after the Thanksgiving recess.
