Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid confirmed Thursday that Democrats in the upper chamber will block any Republican efforts to pass a stopgap funding bill that runs past December.
The comments come after Reid met with President Barack Obama in Reno Wednesday, where they discussed preventing any government spending measure that runs into 2017.
“We’re not doing anything into next year and every Republican should be aware of that right now,” he told reporters on a conference call, adding he thinks a government shutdown is a strong possibilty.
It appears calls from GOP leadership to return to regular order by passing all 12 appropriations bills is becoming increasingly unlikely as the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, leaving lawmakers with the limited options.
The length of the stop-gap measure to dodge a government shutdown is gearing up to be one of Congress’ biggest issues to grapple with for the month of September.
Reid’s comments are unlikely to sit well with a number of conservatives, who argue passing another massive year-end, all-encompassing omnibus they fear will lead to higher spending levels.
“The last thing taxpayers deserve is another lame-duck Congress where unaccountable lawmakers headed into retirement ratchet-up spending and cement pet projects for corporate special interests,” Americans for Prosperity CEO Luke Hilgemann said in a statement. “The omnibus passed last December is a prime example: It was used to extend and expand billions in subsidies to politically favored industries at taxpayer expense. These important decisions should be made by lawmakers who are accountable to voters.”
Members of The House Freedom Caucus have said they don’t think another long-term budget should not be constructed under Obama’s leadership, instead advocating for a stop-gap measure that extends into 2017 when there is a new president in the White House.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said in an email to the Republican caucus Wednesday discussions will resume on the matter when they return from August recess next week.
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