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House poised to act ahead of gov't funding expiration
House leaders Monday introduced a stopgap spending bill that would extend current funding through Dec. 20. Funding for the government is set to expire at midnight Thursday; lawmakers in the House are expected to pass the continuing resolution today. There is still some uncertainty if the measure has enough votes to pass the Senate in its current form due to policy riders attached to it. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said yesterday that the Senate will act before funding expires.
President Donald Trump will also have to sign off on the bill before the deadline to avoid a government shutdown, and the White House has indicated he would sign a short-term measure that makes it to his desk. The bill, as proposed, includes language that would allow a military pay raise, provide extra funding for the 2020 census, and prevent a $7.6 billion rescission in highway funds next summer.
Also happening on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are continuing discussions on a dozen fiscal year 2020 spending bills, including the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Late last month, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., offered a "skinny" version of the NDAA that does not include a NAFCU-opposed provision that could disadvantage credit unions.
While the conference committee continues to debate a final version of the bill, the "skinny" proposal would likely be considered as an alternative if a compromise cannot be reached on a larger package.
Stay tuned to NAFCU Today the latest on credit union issues being considered on Capitol Hill, the association's Grassroots Action Center also has more information available and allows credit unions to contact lawmakers directly on these issues.
NAFCU will continue to keep credit unions updated as government funding discussions continue.