By Susan Ferrechio
Chief Congressional Correspondent
On the heels of passing the $787 billion stimulus bill and President Barack Obama’s announcement of a $275 housing rescue package, Congress next week will confront the bills for running the federal government. Specifically it will begin considering a massive spending legislation needed to keep the government operating until the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. Republicans have complained that this “omnibus” legislation – traditionally loaded with earmarks – has yet to be disclosed. Democratic aides said they would make the bill available on Tuesday, 48 hours before the House will likely vote on it.
On the same day the House is likely to take up the omnibus bill for 2009 spending, Obama will present Congress with his budget outline for fiscal 2010. Congress could get some idea of what Obama’s priorities will be when he delivers an address to a joint session of the House and Senate at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Before lawmakers begins negotiating on spending bills, Obama will convene a “fiscal responsibility summit” at the White House Monday that will include not only bipartisan leadership but the divergent views of such groups as the fiscally conservative congressional Blue Dog Coalition and participants from outside Congress.
