Shutdown Avoidance Mulled

As House Republican leaders made it clear they will not quell a rebellion by conservative colleagues on the Labor-HHS appropriations bill, House appropriators said that, if needed, they intend to pass a clean continuing resolution that would run until Oct. 9 to give Congress time to complete appropriations without risking another government shutdown.

"We see no reason why we cannot complete action on all our bills by that date and put a successful end to the regular FY98 appropriations process," House Appropriations Chairman Livingston and ranking member David Obey, D-Wis., said in a letter Monday to committee members.

However, conservative House Republicans made it clear they will not rush the Labor-HHS bill, with Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., saying the bill will last "into next week, assuming that Republicans don't try to silence Republicans." He said education amendments "will take a long time," adding that conservatives will continue to make it clear they do not believe the bill reflects GOP values. "It's an orderly debate," he said. "That's why I object [to claims of a] filibuster."

House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Porter, R-Ill., said if the debate lasts too long, GOP leaders may have to try to find ways to enforce time agreements on amendments. "I'm certainly not at that point now," he said. "We want to present an ample opportunity to [allow them to] present their views."

House Majority Leader Armey told reporters that "Labor-HHS is going to take as long as it takes," adding members must be given the opportunity to offer amendments.

Democrats clearly were enjoying watching the Republican split emerge on the floor. Obey said that, from an appropriations angle, he would be upset if the bill is bogged down by conservative amendments. "Politically, they will make my day because they will demonstrate they are so zealously ideological they're willing to risk another government shutdown," he said.

Appropriators clearly are ready to pass a CR if needed. A House Republican Appropriations Committee aide said the Oct. 9 deadline would allow appropriators to finish their work by the time Congress takes a week-long recess starting Oct. 10. He said another short-term CR might be needed to allow the bills to be enrolled and sent to the White House. He said that while House appropriators have not yet discussed the plan with their Senate colleagues, the Senate plans to take the same recess. "I think they'll be comfortable," he said.