Congress Finally Reports Progress in the Omnibus Spending Bill

House and Senate Appropriations committee leaders announced Tuesday evening they had reached agreement on “a bipartisan, bicameral framework” that will allow them to complete details of the omnibus spending bill, eliminating the threat of an extended stopgap measure or potential government shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says the package must be passed by end of day Dec. 22. 

“We intend not to be back here between Christmas and New Year’s, and if we can’t meet that deadline, we would be happy to pass a short-term CR into early next year,” he said. 

The topline agreement will allow lawmakers to spend the coming week hashing out specific spending levels for each federal agency as well as what additional legislative items they will attach to the bill, likely including an extension of the Emergency Relief Program (EP), and a possible aid program for rice producers. 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday he expects the legislation will include aid for Ukraine, as well as a bipartisan bill raising the bar for challenging presidential election results.

Spending Bill Next Steps

Congress is expected to approve a one-week stopgap spending bill this week to extend the funding deadline from Dec. 16 to Dec. 23. The House will vote at about noon on the rule for consideration of the week-long stopgap. 

The rule also would send a separate bill back to the Senate to be used as a vehicle for an eventual omnibus funding package, a maneuver that’s meant to expedite a final vote in the Senate.

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