In an abrupt strategy shift, Senate leaders are now actively considering a stopgap funding measure that runs through Jan. 19 and leaves out emergency spending for wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, according to sources familiar with the talks.
The tentative plan hasn’t been finalized and could end up with a number of variations. Bipartisan negotiations were ongoing Friday despite the Veterans Day holiday. “Nothing has been decided,” a Senate Democratic leadership aide said.
The new potential strategy, if it holds, appears to acknowledge how far apart — and far behind — the two chambers are on final fiscal 2024 appropriations. It would also avoid what House Republicans have characterized as Senate attempts to “jam” them against a Christmas deadline with a massive omnibus package.
