U.S. Senate's Reid warns against postponing spending decisions
Source: Reuters
POLITICS | Thu Sep 1, 2016 3:14pm EDT
U.S. Senate's Reid warns against postponing spending decisions
By Susan Cornwell | WASHINGTON
U.S. Senate Democrats would not agree to postponing completion of this year's spending legislation until 2017, the chamber's top Democrat said on Thursday, warning the majority Republicans against considering such an approach when Congress returns next week.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid spoke after some conservative groups outside Congress earlier this week said it would be better for lawmakers not to finish a government appropriations bills until early 2017, when there will be a new president who could work out a deal with a newly elected Congress.
The lawmakers return to work next week from a lengthy recess with appropriations bills unfinished for the coming fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. By law, lawmakers must act by Sept. 30 to approve the spending bills, or the government shuts down, as it did for two weeks in 2013 when appropriations bills had not been enacted in time.
In a conference call with reporters, Reid said he worried that "we're headed straight for another unnecessary government shutdown" unless action is taken.
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