Democrats and Republicans Squabble Over 2022 Spending Bill

Democrats and Republicans Squabble Over 2022 Spending Bill
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo; Win McNamee/Getty Images
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After the Senate averted a government shutdown last week, Congress is facing another looming deadline to pass a spending bill by March 11. But Republicans and Democrats remain steeply divided over what such a bill should focus on, as Democrats have pushed for increased social spending and Republicans have pushed for increased defense spending.

Last week, the Senate passed a stopgap funding bill that extended government funding until March 11, averting a shutdown. These so-called “continuing resolutions” do not make changes to government spending—rather, they simply continue the status quo, extending the deadline for past funding bills.