House Narrowly Passes Spending Bill

The House “narrowly passed a $1.1 trillion spending package that would fund most government operations for the fiscal year after a rancorous debate that reflected the new power held by Republicans and disarray among Democrats in the aftermath of the midterm elections,” the New York Times reports

“The accord was reached amid last-minute brinkmanship and bickering that has come to mark one of the capital’s most polarized eras.”

Washington Post: “Lawmakers voted 219 to 206 to approve the omnibus bill and send it to the Senate, which is planning to hold a vote in the coming days. With government funding set to expire late tonight, Congress is scheduled to approve a short-term extension of current funding to give the Senate a few more days to work through its arcane procedural rules and vote on the bill.”

Roll Call: “Democrats were the ones who ultimately held government funding in suspense. They were largely expected to help Republicans make up for a drop-off in votes, but they held firm against two policy riders they said were put into the cromnibus at the eleventh hour: One rolling back portions of the financial regulatory overhaul law known as Dodd-Frank, the other loosening campaign finance rules.”