House Democrats on Friday introduced a measure to keep the government funded until Sunday at midnight.
The measure will provide Republican and Democratic leaders additional time to hammer out final differences in a coronavirus aid package that they plan to bundle with 2021 government spending legislation.
Government funding runs out at midnight, so the vote is on track to happen in the House and Senate later today.
“The American people urgently need coronavirus relief and this short stopgap bill will allow bipartisan, bicameral negotiators to complete their work on this important issue,” House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, a New York Democrat, said in a statement.
Senate Majority Whip John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, told reporters in the Capitol that they could end up voting on the virus aid and government funding bill on Sunday or Monday.
It’s not clear whether the stopgap funding bill can pass the Senate in time to avert at least a brief government shutdown.
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said he would object to fast passage of the bill unless virus aid negotiators assure him a new round of stimulus checks are included in the coronavirus aid package.
Hawley is seeking $1,200 checks for some people and families, but the deal likely includes $700 checks.
