House lawmakers are expected to vote this week on a short-term funding bill in an effort to avoid a government shutdown, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The vote is likely to occur in the House this Thursday, August 15th.
The measure would fund the government through September 30th and stem the likelihood of a potential shutdown at the end of fiscal year 2019. If the House approves the bill this week, it would move onto the Senate, where it is expected to pass as well.
The bill comes on the heels of President Trump’s threat to shut down of the government unless Congress approves his desired border wall funding. In addition to a possible shutdown, the president has also suggested its possible to declare a national emergency.
However, negotiations between the White House and Congressional leaders appear to be at a standstill.
The bill to be would funded for a two-months period and includes funds for airports, housing, health services, disaster relief, and military operations. In addition, it could potentially include some measures related to Trump’s wall funding.
The White House has been pushing for at least $5 billion in wall-related funding. Democrats, for their part, have refused to cave to these demands, preferring instead to restrict the amount of money allotted for such a measure.
While a vote this week on the bill is likely, a number of procedural obstacles still remain. For example, the Senate is also occupied with the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
With so much on the legislative plate between now and the end of the month, Congress is under serious pressure to avoid a government shutdown. To this end, their ability to pass this short-term funding bill this week will be decisive.