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Congress set to pass measure to avert shutdown of government






Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) serves as the majority leader in the House. He's vying to serve as the next Speaker, following the resignation of Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio). Photo from Facebook

The House and the Senate are expected to give final approval to a bill that prevents a shutdown of the federal government.

H.R.719 includes a continuing resolution to fund the government through December 11. The Senate vote is expected today, according to the Republican schedule. The House will follow with its concurrence, according to the majority leader's schedule.

The continuing resolution maintains funding at basically the same levels as the last fiscal year. That means the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service won't be seeing any increases from either the budget proposed by President Barack Obama earlier this year or the appropriations bills that were under review in the House this summer.

The last shutdown occurred in October 2013. BIA and IHS employees, along with hundreds of thousands of other government workers, were sent home for about two weeks without pay. It came after sequestration of the federal budget imposed harsh budget cuts on Indian Country.

Get the Story:
With a government shutdown possibly averted for now, feds and taxpayers head toward the next cliff (The Washington Post 9/29)
House invokes 'martial law' to speed vote on spending bill (The Hill 9/29)
Deal-Hungry Senate Eager for Boehner’s Halloween Treats (Roll Call 9/29)

Related Stories:
Senate advances bill to prevent shutdown of federal government (9/29)
Outgoing House Republican leader promises to avert shutdown (9/28)
Top Republican leader in House to resign as shutdown looms (9/25)
Mark Trahant: Government shutdown threatens Indian Country (9/22)
Oneida Nation hosts fundraiser for key Republican leader (07/21)
Mark Trahant: A messy Congress might actually work for tribes (03/09)

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