WASHINGTON (AP) — With just hours to spare, the House easily approved a short-term spending bill Friday that would prevent a partial federal shutdown over the weekend.
But on President Donald Trump’s 99th day in office, lawmakers were leaving for the weekend without completing two other measures he’s coveted: A Republican health care overhaul and a budget financing government for the entire year.
House members overwhelmingly backed the weeklong spending measure by a lopsided vote of 382-30, averting a Saturday shutdown and moving the measure to the Senate for a certain final approval. Leaders hope it will give bipartisan bargainers enough time to finish a $1 trillion package financing government through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.
But in a disappointment for the White House, Trump was destined to serve his 100th day in office — Saturday — without being able to claim victories on health care and a yearlong budget.
The White House had pressured GOP leaders to push legislation replacing President Barack Obama’s health care law through the House this week, in time to give Trump bragging rights about it. But late Thursday, House leaders abandoned that effort for now after falling short of the votes they would need for passage.
“As soon as we have the votes, we’ll vote on it,” House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters.Full story from 24 Hour News 8