Congress Passes Three-Week Spending Bill to Fund Government; Avoids Shutdown
Friday, March 18, 2011(National Federation of Federal Employees)
By a
vote of 87-13, the Senate Thursday approved a
shot-term spending measure that will fund the
government for an additional three weeks. The
bill will keep agencies operating through April
8, avoiding a potential government shutdown for
the second time this month. The legislation
originated in the House, where it was passed by
a bipartisan vote of 271-158 with 104 Democrats
and 54 Republicans opposing the
measure.
One of
six short-term extensions to be passed this
year, this three-week continuing resolution
further draws out the protracted budget battle
in Washington. With few signs of compromise
emerging from Capitol Hill, the potential for a
government shutdown is higher now than it has
been since the mid 1990’s, when Congressional
Republicans twice shut down the
government.
NFFE will continue to work with members of Congress and the Administration to secure a long-term funding measure that protects federal jobs, health care, and retirement security.
UPDATE: President Obama signed the temporary funding extension on Friday, March 18.