Legislative Activity

Omnibus Negotiations Continue, Funding Runs Out This Friday

Despite having a budget deal, negotiations over policy riders in the forthcoming $1.1 trillion omnibus bill continue this week. Last week, Congressional Republicans proposed an omnibus bill that included several contentious policy riders, which the Democrats were quick to reject and make a counter-offer. The various policy riders at issue include the usual disagreements – environmental issues, Dodd-Frank, Obamacare, campaign finance restrictions, and social riders – along with new ones, such as restricting Syrian refugee resettlement in the United States.

The current Continuing Resolution (CR) will keep the government open through this Friday, December 11. While Republicans had hoped to release a draft of the omnibus agreement this Monday, the release may be pushed to later in the week. If Republicans and Democrats cannot reach a consensus early this week, giving enough time to move the omnibus bill through both Houses of Congress by the Friday deadline, they will likely pass another short-term CR to extend government funding through December 18.

Members of both parties have incentives to keep the federal government from shutting down, and Congressional Republicans are eager to show they can govern, particularly given the upcoming election year.

This Week’s Hearings:

• Wednesday, December 9: The Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing on moving to a stronger economy with a regulatory budget.