Senate Republicans want continuing resolution to go to February

Senate Republicans want the must-pass bill to keep funds flowing to federal programs after the fiscal year ends Thursday to last until February, rather than the Dec. 3 date that Democrats have planned.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said Wednesday that the amendment is one of two that Republicans may offer. The other would "cut off a few more bucks" from the continuing resolution, according to Inouye.

Inouye said he didn't know the specifics of the amendments, but that he had been "advised that there may be a couple" that Republicans may offer.

He said he hopes the Senate does not pass the proposals because they would force federal agencies to cut their work force -- a move that could help stifle the tenuous economic recovery.

"Our CR is geared for Dec. 3," Inouye said. "If you go beyond that, you are going to have thousands fired."

Senate Democrats hope the chamber can pass the CR Wednesday, though aides said it appeared possible a final vote might not come until Thursday.

In order for the Senate to finish the CR Wednesday night, Republicans would have to agree to waive procedures and will likely seek to offer amendments to the CR in exchange for their cooperation.

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said he wants to offer the amendment to have the measure last until Feb. 1 so the newly elected members can vote on how to proceed. He also said he will support the CR as long as it is clean. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said he wanted the chance to offer a 5 percent across-the-board cut.

If the Senate passes the bill Wednesday night, the House is expected to take the measure up unless it grows too late, according to House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. John Larson of Connecticut. Congress has until midnight Thursday, the last day of the fiscal year, to pass the measure.

Meanwhile, House Republicans Wednesday lashed out against the outlines of the CR, saying it "continues the unsustainable, high rate of spending passed by the Democrat majority last year. This includes the higher baselines in many federal agency budgets that have been bolstered by unnecessary and ineffective 'stimulus' dollars," according to a release from House Appropriations ranking member Jerry Lewis of California.

Lewis and other Republicans have been calling for a CR funded at fiscal 2008 levels, rather than the fiscal 2010 amounts the Democrats are using.

Senate Democrats are looking at action Thursday on nominations and noncontroversial bills typically moved at the end of the work period by unanimous consent after most members have left Washington, aides said.

Wrangling continued this morning over five minor bills related to protection and conservation of animals.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., objected to the unanimous consent request of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to pass the measures, saying they would be funded with borrowed money.

Coburn called the measures "superfluous well-meaning bills that are put up for political purposes."

Dan Friedman and Chris Strohm contributed to this report.