Speculation Increases That Congress Might Miss Friday Budget Deadline
Policy riders appear to be the stumbling block. Some leaders are suggesting a stop-gap measure may be necessary to avert a government shutdown, but the White House spokesman said the president would not sign a short-term bill unless an outline for a deal had already been reached.
Politico:
Congress Likely To Blow Budget Deadline
With negotiations over a massive $1.1 trillion budget package moving at a glacial pace, GOP leaders are now openly predicting that Congress will blow past a Dec. 11 deadline for funding the federal government. Both sides appear to be notching wins in the high-stakes talks. Republicans are confident they'll be able to lift a ban on exporting crude oil, though the GOP is wary of acceding to Democratic demands on environmental policy in return for allowing such sales. Democrats are relieved Republicans aren't fighting to strip funds from Planned Parenthood. (Bresnahan and Sherman, 12/7)
The Wall Street Journal:
Stopgap U.S. Spending Bill May Be Needed, GOP’s Kevin McCarthy Says
Congress may need to pass a stopgap measure keeping the government running for just a few days to avoid a partial shutdown when its funding expires at week’s end, a House GOP leader said Monday. ... Lawmakers have largely agreed on the funding levels for different parts of the government set by the spending bill, known as the omnibus, but are still wrangling over which other policy measures get attached to it. ... Many lawmakers had hoped to reach a deal making some of the tax breaks permanent, but it remained uncertain Monday whether lawmakers would strike a long-term agreement or simply extend the measures for two years. A bigger deal may also include delays of the 2010 health law’s medical device tax and so-called “Cadillac tax” on high-cost, employer-sponsored health insurance. (Peterson and Nelson, 12/7)
The Washington Post:
Negotiations Over Year-End Spending Bill Hit A Tax Snag
After days of scrambling to hammer out an agreement, negotiators are still deadlocked over several policy riders that GOP lawmakers want to attach to the must-pass legislation as well as over what do with a package of tax breaks that could also be added to the bill. White House spokesman Joshua Earnest told reporters that President Obama would not sign a short-term CR in order to give negotiators more time to strike a deal. If lawmakers reach an agreement before Friday, however, Earnest did not rule out the possibility of agreeing to a stop-gap bill to give Congress time to finish procedural work. (Snell, 12/7)
On the topic of Planned Parenthood -
The Huffington Post:
Republicans Insist Planned Parenthood Committee Isn't Specifically Targeting Planned Parenthood
Ever since a gunman on a shooting rampage killed three people at a Planned Parenthood clinic late last month, Republicans on the select panel convened to investigate Planned Parenthood have been insisting that the committee isn't targeting the nation's largest abortion provider. In the wake of the Colorado Springs shooting, Democrats have called for the committee to be disbanded. ... The Republican response has been to point out that the October resolution establishing the special committee referred generally to "abortion providers," but not Planned Parenthood. (Lachman, 12/7)
Also, Rep. John Fleming throws his hat into the Louisiana Senate race -
The Associated Press:
Rep. Fleming Of Louisiana Announces Run For US Senate Seat
Republican U.S. Rep. John Fleming of Louisiana launched his campaign Monday for U.S. Senate, positioning himself as a contender willing to take on Washington’s GOP leaders. ... A doctor, Fleming has been an outspoken critic of Obama’s health care overhaul, pledging to push repeal until he is successful. (Deslatte, 12/7)
