House passes continuing resolution to avoid a shutdown
The House has passed a continuing resolution that includes nearly $8 billion more for nutrition assistance programs. The continuing resolution passed 359-57-1 Tuesday night, with only Republicans and libertarian Representative Justin Amash opposing it and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voting present.
The resolution funds the government until December 11, avoiding a possible shutdown at the end of September. It also renews provisions of public health and transportation programs that were set to expire. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced an agreement between House Democrats, Republicans and the Trump administration late Tuesday.
"We have reached an agreement with Republicans on the CR to add nearly $8 billion in desperately needed nutrition assistance for hungry schoolchildren and families," Pelosi said in a statement. "We also increase accountability in the Commodity Credit Corporation, preventing funds for farmers from being misused for a Big Oil bailout."
Democrats, Pelosi said, have renewed the "expiring lifeline of pandemic EBT for a full year." Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has been leading negotiations for the administration.
The resolution now heads to the Senate where it's expected to pass, now that a big sticking point — farm aid — has been included.
Kimberly Brown contributed to this report