Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has set up a procedural vote for Monday, September 28 at 5:30 p.m. on a short-term funding bill that will include funding for Planned Parenthood, the key issue surrounding a possible government shutdown.
McConnell also filed cloture on the government funding bill. Cloture is a procedure that limits debate and must have at least 60 Senators voting in favor. Once cloture is invoked, not more than 30 hours of debate is allowed. The move comes after nearly every Democrat, and eight Republicans, blocked the Senate earlier in the week from moving forward with a bill that would fund the government through December 11, but redirect federal funding for Planned Parenthood to other community health providers, according to The Hill.
The new short-term bill is expected to pass the Senate and be sent to the House, where House Republicans will decide their plans for avoiding a possible government shutdown. The House Republican Conference is meeting today. Added to the mix is the resignation of Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), and while the House decided to let the Senate take the first stab at a bill, it is unknown which way House Republicans will go to avoid a shutdown.
