Congress to vote on short-term funding bill, avert shutdown for now
The House is expected to pass a short-term spending bill to keep the government funded into next week and prevent a government shutdown on Friday.
In a statement, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Kentucky, said Wednesday that more time is needed to reach a full-year spending deal.
Negotiators had been racing to meet this Friday's deadline to pass a comprehensive 2016 spending package, but talks have stalled over policy riders that include restrictions on the Obama administration's plan to take in 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year.
If both chambers pass the short-term measure and it's signed by President Obama by midnight on Friday, it will keep the government funded through next Wednesday.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest warned Wednesday that Republicans and Democrats have had "ample time" to strike an agreement.
"The President is not going to sign a continuing resolution that gives them additional weeks or months to negotiate an agreement," he said.
