The government shutdown conflict begins as the White House seeks a short-term government finance bill

Both sides must reach an agreement by the end of September to avoid a strike. But the matter is complicated because both parties a Bitter stumbling block on the trigger frame To accelerate the flagging economy International spread of corona virus. Two issues – keeping the government open since September 30 and providing relief to struggling Americans – collide a few weeks ago with far-reaching consequences. Election.

A 23 page document received by CNN The White House has informed lawmakers that a halt to action is needed to keep the government afloat until mid-December during the lame-duck session of Congress. The document outlines the White House’s priorities for funding a wide range of projects, from energy to national security to disaster loans for small businesses.

Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that Democrat leaders were discussing a series of resolutions that would expire in mid-March. This will allow President Biden and the Senate Democrats to play a key role in the next round of government funding as soon as they take office, considering their party to win this fall.

But a senior Democratic aide told CNN that the party leadership had not held in-depth discussions on the length of the suspension measures and that “no decision had been made”.

Negotiations on fiscal law have not yet begun in earnest as the two sides are still struggling on an incentive plan. Pelosi proposed lowering the price index for a new stimulus plan to $ 2.2 trillion – but it was rejected by White House and GOP leaders.

With the completion of the GOP-inspired project stalls in the Senate, will negotiations on government funding intensify and will focus on the length of action to stop it, and should it include economic relief such as unemployment benefits, aid to schools and rental assistance? For persons facing eviction – or if it should be free from any material.

Both sides said they did not want to close the government.

“House Democrats are in for a clear continuing resolution,” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hummel said Thursday.

But both sides clearly agree that it is not clear what an agreement will look like and that negotiations will be tough.

Asked before the Senate adjourned the August recess if he was concerned about the government’s strike in the fall, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told CNN.