Congressional Republicans and Democrats are already are blaming each other for causing the next government shutdown, which won’t even happen for another 80 days (October 1st). That may seem like plenty of time for lawmakers to work through their differences and approve appropriations bills to keep the federal government running, but the news from Capitol Hill today is not to expect any more appropriations bills to make it through the House chamber until Republicans and Democrats work out issues on the Confederate flag. That’s right. The Confederate flag.
Things aren’t much better in the Senate where Democrats have threatened to block all spending bills until Republicans agree to a deal to lift the spending caps and end the threat of sequestration (across-the-board cuts).
So far the House has approved six of their twelve annual spending bills, with the remaining six bills approved by committee and awaiting floor action. They were likely on track to approve all twelve bills before the end of September before the Confederate flag flap. The Senate has not been moving quite as quickly, and is now at a dead stop. They not approved any of their twelve bills, and have moved only five through committee. Proposed bills and report language can be accessed here.