The House on Thursday night passed a measure that will avert a government shutdown on Friday — if the Senate approves the temporary funding bill.
Political analysts said that is a very big “if.”
“This Continuing Resolution is needed to provide government funding and avoid a shutdown of essential services to the American people,” Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.), who introduced the bill as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.
“My hope is that House and Senate Leadership and the White House can reach consensus quickly on a budget agreement, so that essential Appropriations work on all 12 government funding bills can be completed,” Frelinghuysen said.
If approved, the stopgap bill only keeps the government afloat for another month.
“We are now four months into the 2018 Fiscal Year, and Congress must act as soon as possible to ensure that proper, year-long funding for our national defense and other critical federal programs is enacted.”
The House version, passed by a 230-197 vote, includes money for a missile defense system. It also would extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, while suspending an Obamacare medical device excise tax for two years.
“It is critically important that we provide resources for our children’s health. Families across the nation rely on CHIP — the Children’s Health Program — to help sick children and support pregnant mothers to ensure healthy and happy futures. This legislation extends this important program for another six years.”
Frelinghuysen said the 2.3 percent tax on medical devices, which kicked in on New Year’s Day, “may sound minimal, but it adds to the costs that every hospital, rehabilitation facility and doctor must charge patients… Many people depend on medical devices to keep them alive or living independently every day. It was one of the most punitive taxes enacted through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).”
NJ 11th for Change, a grassroots group opposing Frelinghuysen, has rapped the 12-term Congressman for “putting the health care of tens of thousands of constituents in peril when he cowed to his party’s pressure” and voted for the GOP’s failed attempt to repeal the ACA.
The CHIP provision is seen as an inducement to Senate Democrats, although there was confusion in Republican ranks earlier on Thursday when President Trump tweeted his apparent opposition.
A White House spokesman later said Trump supports the temporary spending bill, to ensure continued funding for the military and national security.
