Schumer: Senate Democrats May Block Spending Bill

The New York Times reports:

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, says that Republicans do not have the votes in the Senate to pass the bill the House approved on Tuesday to avert a shutdown and fund the government through Sept. 30.

Schumer says that Senate Democrats are united around a 30 day stopgap bill “that will keep the government open and give Congress time to negotiate bipartisan legislation that can pass.”

At least eight Democrats would need to join Republicans in getting the House-passed bill over the finish line. Democrats instead would like to extend current funding through April 11. But any changes would require the House to return, which is highly unlikely. House Republicans purposefully left town after passing the legislation to prevent any Senate changes.

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