Congress sends five-day funding extension to Obama

By Susan Ferrechio, Susan Ferrechio

Published December 20, 2015

Congress on Friday gave itself an additional five days to work out a massive spending deal, as the House passed a measure to keep the government funded until Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The Senate passed the short-term bill on Thursday, and the House easily approved it by voice vote on Friday. The bill now goes to President Obama, who is expected to sign it before midnight, when current funding expires.

The bill pushes funding past the Dec. 11 deadline and keeps spending at 2015 levels. It provides House and Senate lawmakers from both parties just a few more days to hammer out an agreement on a $1.1 trillion package where spending levels are set, but policy riders are under dispute.

Democrats are insisting on language to end a law preventing the Centers from Disease Control from studying gun violence and advocating for gun control. Republicans want a provision that would require significantly heightened scrutiny for incoming refugees from Syria and Iraq.