Senate Likely to Consider a 30 Day CR, Not the House-Passed FY 2011 Appropriations Bill
According to a February 22, 2011 statement by Senate Majority Leader Reid (D), he plans introduce during the week of February 28, a 30-day continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded and give Democrats and Republicans time to negotiate a “responsible” plan to cut government spending.
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Press reports indicate that the Senate will not consider the House-passed fiscal year 2011 Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 1), which would make appropriations for FY 2011, but with prohibitions on using the funds for numerous government programs, such as a CPSC public database, Brazil cotton payments, etc. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/22/11 and 02/23/11 news, 11022202 and 11022316, for BP summaries of H.R. 1 which passed in the House on February 18, 2011.)
Senate CR Would Have no Attached Bills, Include $41B in Agreed December Cuts
Senate Majority Leader Reid stated, “To avoid a shutdown and give us time to negotiate a responsible path forward, I have asked Sen. Inouye, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to prepare a clean Continuing Resolution that I can bring to the floor next week. Since this bill is intended to fund vital services like Social Security, our military and border security, it should have no legislation or riders tied to it. This bill will include the $41 billion in budget cuts that Democrats and Republicans agreed to in December, and will keep the government running for 30 days while both sides can negotiate a common-sense, long-term solution. I have asked my chief of staff, David Krone, to begin negotiations with Speaker Boehner’s chief of staff, Barry Jackson, to craft a long-term continuing resolution that cuts waste and excess, while protecting the initiatives that keep us safe, put Americans back to work and keep our economy on the right track.”
House Speaker Calls on Senate to Consider H.R. 1 or a CR with Budget Cuts
On February 22, 2010 House Speaker Boehner (R) called on the Senate to take up the House legislation, but stated that if the Senate refuses to bring H.R. 1 to a vote, then the House will pass a short-term bill to keep the government running -- but only one that cuts spending.
Boehner press release, dated 02/22/11, available here.