Federal Government Policy and Business

Senate Puts Finishing Touches on Bill to Avoid a Shutdown

Government Executive: By the rules that guide it, the House of Representatives is usually able to move bills faster than the “cooling saucer” Senate. But with the House beset by divisions in its controlling Republican Party, the Senate has led the effort to craft and pass the legislation that will avert a government shutdown by the end of this month. And it looks like it will do so with time to spare.

Senate leaders and appropriators have spent the weekend trying to tie up the loose ends of a short-term bill that will fund the government to Dec. 9. Leadership aides expect to pass the package this week, potentially allowing vulnerable Republican incumbent senators to go home a week earlier than expected and campaign.

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