McConnell to Offer Stopgap Bill to Avert Shutdown as Trump Fumes

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (Photo: McConnell)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he’ll introduce a short-term spending bill Wednesday to avoid a partial federal shutdown and keep the government funded until Feb. 8.

McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor, accused Democrats of acting out of “political spite” in refusing to grant President Donald Trump the $5 billion he wants to fund a wall at the border with Mexico. Passing a stopgap spending bill will postpone that fight until February.

Democrats are agreeable to the Feb. 8 date, a Democratic leadership aide said late Tuesday.