By Larry Jones
December 20, 2010

All hopes for passing a long term spending bill to fund federal agencies and programs through the remainder of fiscal year 2011 (which started on October 1 and ends on September 30, 2011) died December 16 in face of growing opposition to the $8 billion in earmarks tucked away in the $1.1 trillion measure developed by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (HI). Acknowledging that the bill did not have the support it needed to pass, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) said, "In reality, we only have one choice, and that's a short-term CR [continuing resolution]." Reid said he and the Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) would work to come up with a short-term spending measure to keep federal programs operating after the current continuing resolution expires on December 18.

Members in both chambers are discussing a short-term spending measure that will keep the government and federal programs operating somewhere between 30 to 60 days. On December 16, McConnell offered a measure that will fund federal programs at current levels through February 18, 2011. Republicans favor a short-term spending bill because it will enable them to come back after the holiday recess at the start of a new Congress when they will have greater influence, control of the House and more seats in the Senate. Many of them favor reducing federal spending and will most likely push for deeper cuts in federal programs.