Lawmakers are set to pass bill to avoid government shutdown

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Congress will avoid an election year government shutdown.

Lawmakers are teeing up votes to pass a funding plan that will keep the government running through December 20th.

The bipartisan deal is expected pass through the House and the Senate Wednesday night.

“Americans can breathe easy that because both sides have chosen bipartisanship, Congress is getting the job done,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the House and Senate are kicking things into high gear to pass the plan.

“So, if all goes well in the House, the Senate should be sending President Biden a bill by the end of today,” said Schumer.

However, there is some push back from some conservatives.

“We irresponsibly continue to spend money that we do not have,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas.).

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says a bipartisan vote could have happened sooner if Republicans ditched a doomed effort to link the plan to a controversial voter ID bill which had the endorsement from former president Donald Trump.

“This is not a complicated thing,” said Jeffries.

14 Republicans voted against the plan last week.

“Nobody got everything they wanted,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.).

The bipartisan deal will keep government spending levels the same through December 20^th except for an extra $231 million to help the Secret Service tackle heightened threats, most notably against Trump.

“Everybody understands that that’s critically important,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

This short-term plan tees up a likely more dramatic funding fight ahead.  Democrats and Republicans will have to strike a deal to avoid a government shutdown just days before Christmas.