Washington, Dec 7 (AP) One of the House's conservativeleaders indicated today that Republicans have the votes neededto approve legislation preventing a weekend partial governmentshutdown.
With Senate passage also considered likely, the remarksby Rep Mark Meadows seemed to erase any doubt that Congresswould approve legislation keeping federal agencies afloatthrough December 22. Their money runs out at midnight Fridaywithout approval of fresh funding.
But hours before President Donald Trump was to bargainwith congressional leaders at the White House over long-termbudget decisions, Meadows, who heads the hard-right HouseFreedom Caucus, says the group would oppose any agreement theyfeel allows excessive federal spending.
"I want to avoid a headline that says President Trump'sadministration just passes the highest spending levels in U.S.
history," Meadows told two reporters.
"There will be zero support on numbers that are too high,regardless of anybody's position on that."Meadows said House Majority Whip Steve Scalise told himRepublicans have the votes they'll need to approve the short-term spending measure Thursday. Freedom Caucus members willlikely give leaders whatever votes they need to pass thelegislation, Meadows said.
Many conservatives had been threatening to oppose themeasure. Meadows says they'll help it pass to avoiddistractions from the GOP drive to push their USD 1.5 trilliontax bill through Congress this month. (AP)NSA.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.