Aides: Catch-all spending bill delayed until next week or later
Democractic leaders are focusing on the economic stimulus package.
An omnibus package comprising the nine remaining fiscal 2009 appropriations bills that Congress has yet to enact will not come to the House floor this week, House leadership sources said Monday.
House Democratic leaders wanted to take up the measure this week but reconsidered after Senate Democratic leaders requested they put off consideration so lawmakers could focus on finishing the economic stimulus package by the end of next week. Senior Democratic aides said House Appropriations Chairman David Obey, D-Wis., was not happy about the delay.
Democratic leaders last year settled on funding the government through a continuing resolution after former President George W. Bush said he would veto any spending bills that topped what he recommended in his fiscal 2009 budget. The CR expires March 6. Action next week remains a possibility, aides said.