The Senate passed a two-month stopgap funding bill in a late night vote Wednesday to avoid a Saturday government shutdown.
The bill was then quickly sent to the House just two days before the funding was set to expire; the House is expected to approve the bill right away.
“The Senate ok’d the plan by voice vote. The measure keeps the government open for the outstanding seven appropriations bills at existing levels…through February 8. Doesn’t fund wall,” reported Chad Pergram.
Senate approves stopgap spending bill to avoid shutdown. Sends package over to the House. The Senate ok’d the plan by voice vote.
The measure keeps the government open for the outstanding seven appropriations bills at existing levels…through February 8. Doesn’t fund wall— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 20, 2018
Outgoing Arizona Senator Jeff Flake presided over the vote. Senators were singing Christmas carols as they stiffed President Trump on border wall funding.
Senate took procedural vote to request the Sgt at Arms to request attendance of absent senators, 71-21. Flake presided. When he announced the vote tally, Flake said that “Rudolph voted present.” A reference to the senators singing Christmas carols in the back of the chamber
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 20, 2018
The $1.6 billion for border security is not new money.
The Senate passed interim spending bill does have $1.3b for wall. A total of $1.6b for border security. But not new money
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 20, 2018
President Trump is the wild card because it is still not known whether he will sign the bill or veto it.
The President wanted $5 billion in funding to pay for border wall construction which was not included in the stopgap funding bill the Senate passed Wednesday night.
The Democrats take back the gavel on January 3rd, so if Trump can’t get border wall funding before then, he will never get the money; the Dems are digging in their heels.
Earlier Wednesday, Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) warned President Trump of the political fallout if he doesn’t veto the bill. Meadows said, “If Trump signs the bill there will be “major damage” to his re-election in 2020.”
Freedom Caucus Ldr Meadows says the “political fallout” of Trump signing a spending bill without a wall “will start Saturday.” Says if Trump signs the bill there will be “major damage” to his re-election in 2020
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 20, 2018
The President said this week he would use the military to build the border wall if he didn’t get funding from Congress.
