The majority leader hopes to gain support to move the temporary budget forward.
Members of the Senate have continued negotiations after another vote failed to pass the House-approved continuing resolution to extend government funding. The major sticking point is $1.5 trillion in healthcare funding, which the majority intends to allow to expire at the end of the year.
After leaving the Senate floor on Wednesday, Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona said he would accept a temporary, two-year funding extension to healthcare programs instead of a full reauthorization as part of the government funding bill.
However, Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota defended his party’s stance to not compromise on letting healthcare funding expire. He reiterated that getting the temporary funding passed gives Congress time to negotiate other provisions.
Only eight votes from the minority party are needed to pass the continuing resolution in the Senate, and three have already voted in favor of the measure. Discussions continue to try and influence the remaining senators necessary to get the temporary funding approved.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of the Senate as they discuss the provisions that are a priority for government funding.
- For Majority Leader Thune to be discerning as he presides over the upper chamber of Congress.
Sources: Roll Call, Fox News
