Delaware’s U.S. senators are expected to decide later this week whether or not to support another short-term spending bill.
Money to keep the federal government operating runs out at the end of the week.
Congressional Republicans are proposing a spending bill that keeps the federal government operating until mid-February. But it wouldn’t include a deal on giving legal status to so-called “Dreamers,” undocumented young adults brought to the U.S. as children.
The White House rejected a bipartisan compromise restoring Dreamers’ legal protections last week. But it does support including long-term spending for CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in the short-term authorization measure.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) said he and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware) want both a DACA deal and funding for CHIP. Coons said no one wants a government shutdown, but the White House continues to impede negotiations.
“The president himself said he would sign any bipartisan deal that was brought to him," he said. "In a very public setting of his choosing, time and place at the White House, he invited the folks in and he said ‘You come up with a deal and I’ll sign it.” They came back several days later and he blew it up.”
Coons said he won’t vote yes unless he sees a real resolution on these issues. Carper, also expressing frustration with the White House, said he’s leaning no.
But Republicans hope that including CHIP funding will sway Democratic support.
