Congress strikes deal to avoid government shutdown 1 day before deadline — but roadblocks remain - CNBC

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The House reached a deal Thursday on a short-term government funding bill that would prevent a shutdown before a Friday deadline.

The measure would fund the government at current levels through Feb. 18, House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said in a statement. The House plans to pass the legislation Thursday afternoon.

Both chambers of Congress need to approve a spending bill by Friday to prevent a lapse in funding. An extended shutdown can lead to furloughs of federal workers and the suspension of certain government services. The Biden administration's Office of Management and Budget pushed for "swift passage" of the spending measure on Thursday.

If the House approves the bill Thursday, the Senate could still pose problems as lawmakers rush to avoid a crisis. Any senator has the ability to stop the bill's quick passage, and a handful of Republicans have threatened to delay it as they try to bar the Biden administration's vaccine mandate for private employers.

A man walks past the U.S. Capitol building as a government shutdown looms in Washington, September 30, 2021.

Leah Millis | Reuters

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell opposes the push within his caucus to delay the funding bill. On Thursday, he told Fox News he does not think "shutting down the government over this issue is going to get an outcome," noting the mandate has hit a wall in federal courts.

"We're not going to shut the government down," he said. "That makes no sense for anyone. Almost no one on either side thinks that's a good idea."

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday knocked the GOP holdouts for risking an "unnecessary and dangerous" shutdown. He said on the Senate floor that "I hope cooler heads will prevail on the other side so we can keep the government funded before tomorrow's deadline."

Biden on Thursday told reporters he spoke with both Schumer and McConnell about preventing a shutdown. He said "there is a plan in place unless somebody decides to be totally erratic, and I don't think that will happen."

A few Republicans led by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah have led the push around vaccine mandates. The effort could delay approval of the funding bill and cause at least a temporary shutdown.