House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a new one-week stopgap funding bill to keep the government open through Dec. 18, as lawmakers aim for additional time to pass a larger omnibus fiscal year 2021 appropriations package and a new coronavirus emergency relief bill.
The House is set to vote Wednesday on the continuing resolution
, with funding currently set to expire on Friday.
“With a government shutdown deadline just days away, this continuing resolution is necessary to keep the government open as we work to complete the appropriations process and deliver meaningful coronavirus relief to the American people,” Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y), chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement. “As we enact this temporary extension, we will continue to negotiate in good faith to complete our important work this month.”
The House passed its $694.6 billion FY ‘21 defense spending bill in July as part of a $1.3 trillion spending package (Defense Daily, July 31).
The Senate, however, has yet to pass its own version and only released details of its $696 billion defense appropriations legislation in November. That bill is part of a $1.4 trillion spending package (Defense Daily, Nov. 10).