The Hill | November 9, 2011
*By Alexander Bolton*
Senate Minority Republican Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced on Sunday that if Democrats vote to advance a House-passed continuing resolution, he will offer a substitute proposal. This alternative would combine another stopgap spending measure with a later expiration date and three full-year appropriations bills, collectively known as a minibus.
Thune told reporters that the Senate plans to vote Sunday afternoon on a proposal to reopen the government, following a Saturday with no votes held in the afternoon. The text of the legislation is expected to be released early Sunday afternoon.
The package is anticipated to include regular appropriations bills funding military construction, veterans affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the legislative branch. These bills have already been conferenced with House appropriators. Additionally, it would include a stopgap measure to fund the remainder of the federal government through late January.
Thune stated that he will seek to replace the House-passed continuing resolution—a “clean” bill that funds the government through November 21—with the combined continuing resolution and minibus. One Senate GOP aide has nicknamed this combined measure the “Criminibus.”
On Sunday, Republican senators gathered in the Mansfield Room to discuss their next steps while enjoying pizzas from Andy’s Pizza and leftover Halloween candy.
—
**Reader Comment Highlights:**
– “The longer the shutdown goes on, the greater the chance that people will wake up to the fact that they need LESS government, not more.” — MinorityRepublican
– “USA FIRST. USA FOREVER.” — TheLouiswu
—
*Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected.*
*Read the full article at TheHill.com.*
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4351651/posts