Government Spending Bill–

Once again our government leadership seems to be taking us to the brink of a government shut down once again.  This has become the norm rather than the exception in the recent years.  At issue currently is a $1.1 trillion spending bill.  The current government funding was to expire on Friday December 11^th at midnight and there was no way that the sides were going to be able to work out their differences by that time.  As such, a short-term spending appropriation was approved allowing the government to keep functioning until Wednesday December 16^th.

While some legislators stated that there were still a “bunch of issues” to be worked out, most assured the American public that they would get it done and get it done right.  The key issues seemed to be around Syrian refugees, lifting the ban on exporting U.S. oil as well as environmental provisions.  

As of mid-day on Tuesday December 15^th, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan stated that the bill is being put together and should be posted at some point during the day.  Still at issue seemed to be the Republicans “insistence on raising the export ban on crude oil.”  Democrats, to compromise, are asking Republicans to agree to environmental measures in exchange for Democratic support of the lift of the export.