The Office of Management and Budget told federal agencies Thursday evening to put contingency plans in place in case the government shuts down at midnight.
“Congress is taking a series of actions today on legislation that would prevent a lapse in appropriations and allow for continued government operations. We continue to believe that time remains for Congress to pass full-year appropriations for FY 2015, and prevent a government shutdown,” OMB said.
“However, out of an abundance of caution, we are working with agencies and taking steps to prepare for all contingencies, including a potential lapse in funding,” the agency added.
Obama worked the phones late Thursday in an attempt to get the funding bill through the House.
Leading Democrats, such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., are urging progressives not to vote in favor of the measure. Democrats are trying to scrap provisions that would chip away at campaign finance laws and the Dodd-Frank Act.
However, the White House is accusing Democrats opposed to the spending bill of putting the party in an unfavorable position. The administration says Republicans will have more leverage on a spending plan in 2015, when they control both chambers of Congress.
