For the first time in years, the House of Representatives is expected to approve a massive new spending bill on Wednesday that keeps federal agencies operating until a new fiscal year starts in October.
The so-called "omnibus" package of all twelve annual spending bills is a compromise; it has more money in it than what Congressional Republicans wanted, but less than what President Obama had asked for. There is some disappointment on both sides of the aisle with the measure, but this time nobody is talking about forcing another government shutdown.
The bill itself is more than 1,500-pages of mind-numbing numbers and instructions, and it's only been available to lawmakers since Monday night. House Speaker John Boehner acknowledges that voting, just two days later, on an omnibus spending bill the size of a phone book is less than ideal.
"Frankly, if we had time, I would allow, I would like to have more time," Boehner said. "We're in a situation where the government is in fact going to run out of money."
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Congress Poised To Pass $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill