WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate approved legislation Wednesday to temporarily fund the government, a key step toward averting a federal shutdown after President Donald Trump backed off his demand for money for a border wall with Mexico.
Senators passed the measure, which would keep government running to Feb. 8, by voice vote without a roll call. The House is also expected to move before Fridays deadline, when funding for a portion of the government expires. Without resolution, more than 800,000 federal workers would face furloughs or be forced to work without pay, disrupting government operations days before Christmas.
While the White House indicated Trump was open to reviewing whatever Congress could pass, the president did not immediately weigh in on the short-term plan.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the Senate will remain in session Thursday. We have to see what the House does, he said.
Many of Trumps supporters were frustrated that he appeared to retreat on his shutdown threats after promising a fight over the wall, which had been central to his presidential campaign. Just last week Trump said he would be proud to shut down the government over his demand for $5 billion for the wall. Some allies described the move as caving on his pledge, expressing concern that it could hurt Trumps 2020 prospects.
Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., a leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said Trumps political base will just go crazy if he signs a bill without wall funding. He warned it will be tougher to win the money next year when Democrats control the House. He said supporters of the president believe its a promise that hes been telling them that he will keep.
On Twitter, Trump appeared to respond to criticism by insisting that one way or the other, we will win on the Wall!
Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway also faced tough questioning on Fox & Friends, the morning show known to be one of Trumps favorites. Host Brian Kilmeade said Wednesday that Trump has no leverage, while Ainsley Earhardt asked why Trump was softening his position.
The president is not softening his stance, Conway said. He has a responsibility to keep the government moving forward, and he has a responsibility to get border security.
McConnell, though, portrayed the short-term spending measure as a simple bill that would show that Republicans, who control Congress now, will finish the year by not prolonging a potential crisis.
Republicans will continue to fill our duty to govern, he said.
Voting was delayed until late Wednesday as a bipartisan group of lawmakers, mostly from the West, pushed a package that would reauthorize a popular Land and Water Conservation Fund, which expired Sept. 30, and add other measures addressing public lands. Unable to reach agreement, they postponed action as talks continued.
At one point late in the late evening, senators broke out in a round of Christmas carols from a corner of the chamber. A few moments later, retiring Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., gaveled a procedural vote closed by suggesting Rudolph had voted present.
It was unclear how many House members would return to Washington for votes after Republicans lost the majority in the midterm election. Some 70 members missed Wednesdays session, almost as many Democrats as Republicans.
With many House Republicans sour on the spending package, passage could depend on Democrats.
Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi, who is on track to become speaker when Democrats take control Jan. 3, signaled support for ensuring funding.
