The Senate quickly followed the House on Friday by passing an ongoing resolution that would fund the federal government through Dec. 21 and temporarily prevent a partial shutdown if President Trump signed the law before midnight.
Why it’s important: The 48-hour break would also give lawmakers over the weekend to resolve outstanding issues with a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package and a $ 1.4 trillion long-term spending agreement.
Context: This is the second ongoing resolution that Congress must pass this month because lawmakers could not commit. The first was approved last week.
- But Congress leaders set and blew the Friday deadline to find out their differences, though lawmakers have said for days that they were closing a deal.
The big picture: On Friday, stimulus negotiations were hampered by the debate over the Federal Reserve’s emergency lending powers.
- Some Republicans, including Sen. Patrick Toomey (Pa.), Want to reduce Fed emergency loan programs as part of a stimulus deal, while Democrats fear the Republican Party will try to reduce authority of the Fed before the Biden administration takes over.
Lawmakers too they disagree with the proposed $ 600 direct payments to Americans as part of the stimulus bill.
What to see: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) Said the chamber would not hold votes on any legislation until Sunday afternoon.