Congress on Friday gave itself an additional five days to work out a massive spending deal, as the House passed a measure to keep the government funded until Wednesday, Dec. 16.
The Senate passed the short-term bill on Thursday, and the House easily approved it by voice vote on Friday. The bill went to President Obama, who signed it into law early Friday evening.
The bill pushes funding past the Dec. 11 deadline and keeps spending at 2015 levels. It provides House and Senate lawmakers from both parties just a few more days to hammer out an agreement on a $1.1 trillion package where spending levels are set, but policy riders are under dispute.
Democrats are insisting on language to end a law preventing the Centers from Disease Control from studying gun violence and advocating for gun control. Republicans want a provision that would require significantly heightened scrutiny for incoming refugees from Syria and Iraq.
Both parties are expected to work though the weekend on a deal and perhaps file legislation on Monday, according to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky.
During Friday’s debate on the short-term funding extension, Democrats continued a week-long effort to push the GOP into taking up gun control legislation, calling repeatedly for motions to adjourn the chamber.
Democrats have begun a discharge petition to try to force a vote on legislation that would prevent people on the FBI terror watch list from purchasing guns or explosives.
“How many mass shootings or terrorists attacks will it take for Congress to act to reduce gun violence,” said Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo. “We are talking about common sense reforms to make it harder for terrorists to get the weapons that allow them to kill people.”
