Senate Clears First Hurdle To Averting A Government Shutdown
The Senate easily overcame a filibuster regarding a short-term spending bill that does not include a provision to defund Planned Parenthood. The chamber could vote as soon as today on that measure, and then send it to the House. The legislation must be passed by Oct. 1 in order to avoid a government shutdown.
The Hill:
Senate Advances Bill To Prevent Shutdown
A short-term bill to fund the government through Dec. 11 overcame a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Monday, just days before the deadline to avoid a shutdown. Senators voted 77-19 to end debate on the continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government. The move paves the way for final passage before the Oct. 1 deadline. (Carney, 9/28)
Politico:
Senate Easily Advances Bill To Avoid Shutdown
The suspense over whether the GOP-led Congress would keep the government open beyond Sept. 30 ended altogether when Speaker John Boehner announced his resignation plans last week. The stunning move ensures that the Ohio Republican would be free to rely on Democrats to pass a clean funding bill without political retribution from his conservative agitators. (Kim, 9/28)
The Washington Post:
Congress Moves Closer To Preventing A Shutdown
If all goes according to the plan hatched by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnnell (R-Ky.) and Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), the House could clear the stop-gap funding bill on Wednesday, averting a shutdown with hours to spare before the Oct. 1 deadline. ... Cruz railed against Planned Parenthood and the Iran deal on the Senate floor following the vote Monday, saying he believes the “votes are cooked” in Congress. ... The Texas Republican and other conservatives for weeks have been calling on GOP leaders to confront Obama over abortion policies by using the spending bill needed to avert a shutdown this week to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood. But they are now focusing their attention on December. (Snell and Zezima, 9/28)
The Associated Press:
Senate Advances Stopgap Spending Bill To Avoid Shutdown
McConnell is under fire from tea partyers who demand that he fight harder against Planned Parenthood — even at the risk of a partial government shutdown — but McConnell is more concerned with protecting his 2016 re-election class from political damage if Republicans are blamed for a shutdown. (Taylor, 9/28)
Washington Times:
Senate Moves To Avoid Gov’t Shutdown, Holds Off Hardliners On Planned Parenthood
“It does not represent my first, second, third, or 23rd choice when it comes to funding the government,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican. “But it will keep the government open through the fall and funded at the bipartisan level already agreed to by both parties as we work on the way forward.” (Howell, 9/28)
Politico:
Shutdown Clash To Return In Force By December
But the glide path to avoiding a shutdown this week sets up an even bigger clash in December, when lawmakers have to agree on a new funding bill for the new fiscal year. Democrats at both ends of the Capitol, as well as in the White House, will demand raising the current caps for domestic spending. But hawkish Republicans have long insisted on boosting cash for defense programs, while fiscal conservatives will abhor any additional spending overall. (Kim, 9/28)
Politico:
Cruz Sternly Rebuked By GOP
Ted Cruz can’t even get a protest vote in the Senate anymore. On Monday night, Cruz’s colleagues ignored his attempt to disrupt Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s efforts to fund the government without attacking Planned Parenthood. In an unusual rebuke, even fellow Republicans denied him a “sufficient second” that would have allowed him a roll call vote. (Everett, 9/28)
The Hill:
Cruz Foiled In Bid For Planned Parenthood, Iran Amendments
Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday was blocked from trying to link the Iran nuclear deal and a one-year ban on federal funding for Planned Parenthood to a government funding bill. The Texas Republican, who is running for president, was blocked from offering his amendment during a voice vote. He tried to get a roll call vote but couldn't get the necessary support from his colleagues. (Carney, 9/28)
The Washington Post:
After Boehner, Conservatives Must Answer Crucial Question: Who’s Next?
Hard-line conservative Republicans, emboldened by their role in the resignation of House Speaker John A. Boehner, are struggling to recruit a candidate with enough political capital and grass-roots support to challenge Boehner’s heir apparent. That contender, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), announced his bid for speaker Monday, but by sharing Boehner’s relaxed personality and center-right Republican politics, he would almost certainly face similar problems from the conservative wing from the start and skepticism about whether he can truly give voice to the base’s frustrations. (Costa and DeBonis, 9/28)
