Short Term Spending Bill Shot Down in House

The U.S. government again faces threat of a shutdown because of Congressional disagreements. The House failed to pass a short term spending bill Wednesday night that would keep government running past Sept. 30. Its defeat was a surprise blow to House GOP leadership. Despite Speaker John Boehner’s entreaties four dozen Republicans defected and voted against the bill.

Boehner says it was the smallest spending package likely to pass but some Republicans says it’s still too much money. Democrats are against the bill because it holds up funding for disaster relief unless there are cuts in an Energy Department green vehicles program.

Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted FOR the spending bill, but it failed 195 to 230.

Congress is scheduled to go on recess next week for the Jewish holidays, leaving little time to hammer out a short term spending fix before the September 30th deadline.