Clock is ticking for Congress to avert government shutdown

Democrats are rushing to push their omnibus spending bill through Congress to fund the government for the next year, with only five days to go until the current budget runs out and a temporary shutdown ensues.

Negotiations over the annual spending bill stalled late last week as both sides disagree on how to keep the government running, with Democrats seeking to approve a bipartisan omnibus bill that would last until the fiscal year ends and Republicans pushing for a continuing resolution that would fund the government at the same levels until January. A growing number of GOP lawmakers have begun to push for the latter option, hoping to have more of an influence once they take control of the House next Congress.

Lawmakers left Washington for the long weekend without a final top-line number, reportedly disagreeing over $25 billion worth of nondefense spending, according to GOP Sen. Richard Shelby (AL), one of the lead negotiators. The total bill is expected to cost roughly $1.7 trillion.

Democrats have indicated they may be open to some sort of an agreement on a continuing resolution deal, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) telling reporters on Thursday that “we may be forced to have a yearlong CR."