“The House on Thursday passed another giant funding package, putting lawmakers exactly halfway on the path to advancing all 12 funding bills by Sept. 30.
[…]
The two-bill fiscal 2019 spending bundle, which was approved 217-199, funds a slew of agencies including the Treasury Department, the IRS, the EPA and conservation programs.
[…]
With Thursday’s final passage vote, the House has now cleared six of 12 annual spending bills — the official midway point for its current spending season.
The Senate is planning to take up the House-passed package as early as next week, though it may look different than the House version, possibly stalling bicameral negotiations.
[…]
As the House and Senate begin to reconcile their bills, one of the biggest hurdles is the inclusion of so-called poison pill riders.
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Those hyperpartisan spending bills — including today’s package of Financial Services and Interior-Environment titles,H.R. 6147 (115) — include conservative policies that will be sent to their grave in the Senate, where Democratic buy-in is more necessary due to the slim GOP majority.
[…]
The other funding challenge is time. The House is planning to leave in early August for its month-long break. When lawmakers return, they will have just three weeks in session before that Sept. 30 deadline.”
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