The U.S. House was expected to pass a stopgap spending bill Wednesday that would provide 2.6-billion dollars in disaster aid and offset part of that expense with cuts to a green technology program. Following House passage - the bill will be sent to the Senate where it faces change. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he will move to amend the package with the 6.9-billion dollar package of disaster aid the Senate passed last week.
It is believed Mr. Reid has the votes, but it could take days to get accomplished as a filibuster by GOP conservatives is certain. That means it could be Saturday or beyond before the measure is sent back to the House. The legislation needs to be cleared by this weekend unless Congress wants to cancel next week’s scheduled recess or allow a partial government shutdown on October 1.
As for the President’s three-trillion dollar deficit reduction plan, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the recommendations provide for a - balanced approach and it contains – ideas that both parties in Washington have supported. The proposal calls for 33-billion dollars in cuts from the farm safety net.
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