Funding Bill

Lawmakers in the House agreed to pare down debate on amendments in the GOPs spending bill so the continuing resolution can pass today and be sent to the Senate. Congress is not in session next week, recessing for the President's Day holiday, so lawmakers will only have a few days after they return to pass the funding bill before the current CR expires on March 4th. Politico reports House speaker John Boehner is standing firm behind the proposed $61-billion in cuts for the remainder of 2011. Boehner told reporters if the Senate does not pass the CR, the GOP controlled House will not continue to fund the government at current spending levels. Likewise President Obama has threatened to veto the bill if it contained certain cuts. The bill is not expected to win approval in the Democratically controlled Senate.