Schumer calls for Senate to pass stopgap bill by week's end to avoid 'even hint of a government shutdown'
CNN
Lawmakers will try and pass a short-term government funding extension by a Friday deadline, but a handful of Republican senators is threatening to gum up the works, raising questions about when the Senate will actually be able to vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned on Tuesday that "before the end of the week, the Senate must come to an agreement to pass a short-term extension of government funding," ahead of the February 18 deadline.
He reiterated that he remains "optimistic" that Democrats and Republicans will keep working together to reach a deal and pass a broader, full-year government spending package. But "in the meantime, both sides should come to an agreement to make sure ... the continuing resolution, the short-term funding of the government, is passed by this chamber and avoid any even hint of a government shutdown," he said.