House GOP leaders are aiming to put a Senate-passed stopgap spending bill on the floor early next week, in the first days back in session after a five-week recess, according to three people granted anonymity to disclose private discussions.
The continuing resolution would reset the Sept. 30 appropriations deadline for Dec. 11, after the midterm elections.
The quick vote, coming almost a full month before the government funding deadline, underscores how Republican leaders are intent on avoiding a government shutdown before voters go to the polls in November. Before the summer recess, the House passed a slightly shorter stopgap funding bill largely along party lines.
The Senate version, however, was negotiated with Democrats, and GOP leaders are considering passing the bill under suspension of the rules — a fast-track process that requires a bipartisan two-thirds majority, the three people said.
Most Democrats opposed the earlier House-passed stopgap because it did not include legislative language to ensure funding would not go to certain immigration enforcement activities. But some Democrats are now suggesting they could be open to supporting the Senate version.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, called the Senate measure “a welcome improvement” from the House bill.
The Senate measure has Republican support as well, with House Rules Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) saying earlier this month that she believed it would pass under suspension. The White House has also issued a statement of administration policy in support of the bill, which includes language the administration supports postponing a ban on intoxicating hemp products set to kick in this fall.
But some Republicans loyal to President Donald Trump could raise concerns about another provision, demanded by Senate Democrats, temporarily blocking the White House from finalizing its proposal to put political appointees in charge of approving federal grants.
Jennifer Scholtes contributed to this report.
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