House Republicans are expected to vote Saturday on a proposal that funds the government through Dec. 15, delays the federal health care law known as Obamacare for one year and repeals the medical device tax, a move that sets up a showdown with Senate Democrats that could result in a government shutdown next week.
Members of the Republican conference met Saturday afternoon in a private meeting where leaders presented the plan and listened to opinions from rank-and-file members. Lawmakers emerged from the meeting to say that the conference was united on the proposal.
The House also will vote on a separate bill that ensures that the U.S. military is funded in the event of a shutdown.
Congress must agree to a federal spending bill by Tuesday, or the federal government will partially shut down. The Senate bill would extend current spending levels only through Nov. 15. Democrats say that time frame would provide a month for Congress to pass a larger budget deal before the end of the year and replace the automatic, sequestration cuts now in effect.
