Senate Clears Hurdle on Spending Bill

By SIOBHAN HUGHES WASHINGTON—The Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to move forward with a bill to fund federal agencies through mid-December, advancing past the first hurdle in what likely will be a contentious and deadline-driven debate over next year's federal budget. The Senate vote came after Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) ended a 21-hour speech in opposition to the new federal health law. Mr. Cruz and like-minded conservatives say that no measure to fund the government in the next fiscal year should be approved unless it eliminates money for the health law. Enlarge Image image Associated Press Sen. Ted Cruz talks to reporters as he emerges from the Senate Chamber Wednesday. Related Articles Cruz Ends Speech Against Health Law Highlights of Cruz's 21-Hour Speech Cruz Eclipses Length of Paul Filibuster Long Talks: Comparing Cruz, Paul, Davis In the end, even Mr. Cruz voted to allow the Senate to begin debate on the legislation. In a complicated calculation, he had considered trying to delay the bill, even though he favors a provision in it that strips money from the health law, because Democrats have the votes to restore the money and are on track to do so in the next few days. At issue is a House-passed measure that funds the federal government through mid-December but eliminates money for the health law. Congress must approve some kind of funding mechanism by Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year, or the federal government will have to suspend many of its activities and services. The Democratic-controlled Senate is now expected to restore money for the federal health law and send the measure back to the Republican-led House. Senate Democrats may also shorten the time that the bill funds federal agencies so that funding expires in mid-November instead of mid-December. Some Democrats believe this will give them a better chance to pass a spending bill for the full fiscal year that restores money for scheduled budget cuts known as sequestration. "This process is all about, sadly, the Democratic majority not listening to the American people," Mr. Cruz, his tie loosened, said before Wednesday's vote as he wrapped up more than 21 hours on the Senate floor. Six days remain before the next fiscal year begins, but any Senate bill is sure to return to the House for additional action, perhaps as late as Sunday. That would leave only two days before the deadline for passing a funding measure. House Republican leaders have not said what they would do in that case. "We should get this matter back to the House as soon as we can," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said on the Senate floor. He complained that Republicans were intent on damaging the basic functions of government. The budget fight comes at the same time as discussion over the terms for raising the nation's debt ceiling. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew on Wednesday predicted that the U.S. would run out of extraordinary methods to avoid hitting the debt limit on Oct. 17, and would have only $30 billion in cash on hand, not enough to pay all of its bills. Republicans have said they want to attach conditions to another increase in the borrowing limit, but the Obama administration has said that the debt ceiling is not negotiable and that it is the responsibility of Congress to raise the debt level so the U.S. can make good on its obligations.

Very interesting to see a hurdle be passed but yet we are not aware if we can fund obamacare but yet we can clear a hurdle on spending, what are your thoughts on this?