Congressional negotiations on the fiscal 2016 omnibus appropriations package have become increasingly complex. With two weeks to go before Christmas, Congress is buying five more days to resolve differences over issues ranging from taxes to Syrian refugees to oil exports that stand in the way of funding the government through September 2016.
To prevent a lapse in funding authority at midnight, the House must act on the continuing resolution funding the government through December 16, which the Senate passed yesterday.
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn said the text of the broader omnibus spending bill may be filed Monday and that both chambers could vote Wednesday on the $1.1 trillion legislation.
The White House has said the president would sign a short-term continuing resolution only for the purpose of giving Congress more time to put the final touches on an omnibus.
The talks on the omnibus appropriations package have been going on for weeks as Democrats and Republicans continue to battle over certain policy provisions such as repealing mandatory country-of-origin labeling for chicken, beef and pork; addressing some regulations on water and air pollution; making changes to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill; and ending a 40-year-old ban on oil exports.
Negotiators are sorting through as many as 42 policy riders and negotiating over a package of business and individual tax breaks, which are normally reauthorized by Congress for a year or a two at a time. A proposed agreement could permanently extend several tax provisions, such as a research and development credit, the child tax credit, the earned-income tax credit, and college tax credits.
Potential language addressing the certification process for Syrian refugees, the Waters of the U.S. rule; and conscience clauses regarding coverage of abortion-related service are among other issues stalling the negotiations.
