Congress is barreling toward votes on stopgap funding bills Friday before lawmakers leave for recess. Here’s what to watch:
IN THE HOUSE — The House will vote this morning on the GOP-led continuing resolution funding the government through Nov. 21. Expect nearly every Democrat to vote against it, though Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) have stayed quiet about their plans. (Golden was the sole House Democrat to break from his party in the March shutdown fight.)
In an extended interview with POLITICO on Thursday, Whip Tom Emmer said he’s confident Republicans can muscle their CR through the House — though he declined to say whether leaders will need to call in President Donald Trump for backup.
“I talk to the White House, I keep them advised as to where we are,” the Minnesota Republican said, when asked if they’re prepared to get Trump on the phone Friday if needed. “We’re going to pass this.”
While the hard-liners appear on board, a few rank-and-file Republicans could cause headaches for GOP leaders. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) told POLITICO he’s “disappointed” there is no plan past the CR but declined to say how he’ll vote Friday. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is a likely “no.” Republicans can lose only two of their members with full attendance for party-line passage.
If the funding patch passes, House GOP leaders are considering not coming back into session until after Oct. 1 — jamming Senate Democrats and daring them to vote against the CR right before the deadline.
IN THE SENATE — The Senate will vote Friday on competing CRs, one led by Republicans and one led by Democrats. Both are expected to fail, raising the chances of a shutdown in less than two weeks.
Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday it’s “unlikely” the Senate will come back next week. That means the next vote on the GOP’s stopgap bill would be the evening of Monday, Sept. 29 — less than 48 hours before a potential shutdown.
“I do not believe that Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are actually going to shut the government down,” Emmer told POLITICO. “That would be one of the most foolish things you can do.”
Read more from our sitdown with Emmer on Politico Pro.
What else we’re watching:
— Schiff, Kaine to force war powers vote: Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff (Calif.) and Tim Kaine (Va.) will introduce a war powers resolution Friday blocking the use of U.S. armed forces to engage in hostilities against certain non-state organizations. It follows U.S. strikes on boats allegedly trafficking drugs from Venezuela, which Democratic lawmakers said they were not briefed on.
— Senate tries again on NDAA: Senators failed to reach a deal Thursday to vote on amendments to the annual defense bill and ultimately pass the legislation. Thune said senators were optimistic they could wrap up the NDAA by Friday.
— RSC hosts anti-abortion group: The Republican Study Committee will host influential anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America at a briefing Friday morning on the looming expiration of Obamacare subsidies. The meeting is a sign that abortion opponents are ramping up lobbying against continuing the subsidies, which they argue effectively subsidize abortion.
— More en bloc nominees: Senate Republicans started the process Thursday night to confirm a second batch of nominees in a single vote. The new bloc has 108 nominees, including Herschel Walker to be U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, Sergio Gor to be U.S. ambassador to India, Hung Cao to be undersecretary of the Navy and Arch Capito to be U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Jordain Carney, Jennifer Scholtes, Calen Razor, Connor O’Brien and Benjamin Guggenheim contributed to this report.
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