Democrats aiming to pass new government funding bill by Feb. 18 deadline

WASHINGTON — Democratic congressional leaders mentioned Tuesday that they’re aiming to go a invoice that funds the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal yr by the Feb. 18 deadline to keep away from a shutdown.

Rising from a closed-door {meeting}, Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., mentioned that Democrats wish to go an appropriations measure with new funding ranges moderately than a short-term persevering with decision that maintains funding ranges from final yr.

“We very a lot wish to get an omnibus accomplished,” Schumer instructed reporters. “We’re all on the identical web page and we’re awaiting what the Republican counteroffer will likely be.”

Pelosi mentioned that passing an omnibus by means of Congress is “our focus proper now,” which might fund the federal authorities by means of at the very least Sept. 30. Schumer mentioned that Democrats are additionally ready for the Biden administration to ship a proposal for Covid aid to Congress that would probably be wrapped into the measure.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., chairwoman of the Home Appropriations Committee, echoed their feedback. When requested if Congress might need to resort to a different short-term invoice, she mentioned, “Let’s see the place subsequent conversations go” after which, she mentioned, “We’ll make that call.”

Bipartisan talks are anticipated to happen on the Capitol Tuesday afternoon to debate the trail ahead to stop a shutdown and go a spending invoice by the mid-February deadline.

Pelosi had lately mentioned in a letter to members of her caucus that the Home should go a robust omnibus measure which she mentioned, “will deal with vital priorities for our nation, together with for our {national} safety and for communities at dwelling.”

Congress had handed a short-term invoice in early December to increase 2021 funding ranges into February.

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