Congress averts shutdown; fight continues over pandemic aid

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By ANDREW TAYLOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress passed a two-day stopgap spending bill Friday night, averting a partial government shutdown and buying yet more time for frustratingly slow endgame negotiations on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package.

The virus aid talks remained on track, both sides said, but closing out final disagreements was proving difficult. Weekend sessions were on tap, and House leaders hoped for a vote on Sunday on the massive package, which wraps much of Capitol Hill’s unfinished 2020 business into a take-it-or-leave-it behemoth that promises to be a foot thick — or more.

The House passed the temporary funding bill by a 320-60 vote. The Senate approved it by voice vote almost immediately afterward, and President Donald Trump signed it late Friday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said both sides remain intent on closing the deal, even as Democrats launched a concerted campaign to block an effort by Republicans to rein in emergency Federal Reserve lending powers. The Democrats said the GOP proposal would deprive President-elect Joe Biden of crucial tools to manage the economy.



Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks past reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-bills-mitch-mcconnell-e3247d049ee1cac7a7ab4230cbfbf060

[Smackdown2019]

1. It's simple folks

The cronies are creasing their pockets before the new administration takes over and they are buying for more time to line their pockets more. I am from the dark state of Missouri, which Hawley has turned it into a state of disrepair. It will take decades to undo the destruction that man has done, by agreeing with Trump and orchestrated the most lavish lies out a Senator mouth. Even his buddy Jason Smith, congressman of 8th district, are both wrong for Missouri.

Funding America is to be a top priority, not another unburden pressure of families that depend on those income checks in one of the most valuable time of the year. Why I must ask, why it is always a December month we are brought to another looming shutdown?

Deplorables!