The Senate on Thursday passed a five-day continuing resolution, preventing a government shutdown and extending the deadline to pass a full-year omnibus appropriations bill from Dec. 11 to Dec. 16. The House is expected to approve the measure on Friday. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) said in a statement the short-term bill “allows time for the House and Senate to complete work on pending appropriations legislation.” Our negotiations are progressing steadily, and I expect that senators will soon be able to consider a bill that will meet the funding needs for our national defense and other priorities.” In a statement on the House Appropriations Committee’s website, Chairman Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) also said progress is being made on the full-year omnibus. “It is my hope and expectation that a final, year-long bill will be enacted before this new deadline,” he said. (See also: Obama Signs Budget Deal and Obama Signs NDAA.)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
