Legislation to stave off an imminent US government shutdown encountered obstacles in Congress after the Senate opposed a bill by the House of Representatives.
The Republican-controlled House approved funding through February 16 on a mostly partisan vote of 230-197, sending the stopgap bill to the Senate for consideration as President Donald Trump pushed hard for a measure to sign before Friday’s deadline.
However, a mix of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate who oppose the House bill for varying reasons left the legislation on the verge of defeat. A bitter fight broke out on the Senate floor shortly after the House passage and was expected to continue on Friday.
Uncertainty in the Senate
Nine Senate Democrats who had voted for a prior spending measure in December said they would not support the latest proposed four-week extension, joining other Democrats in the Senate who oppose the short-term deal.
A growing number of Republicans…