The White House and congressional leaders reported progress Monday on a stopgap spending bill that would keep the government open through the November elections and provide emergency funding to battle the Zika virus.
After meeting with Senate and House leaders of both parties at the White House, President Obama said he was “encouraged” that a deal was possible soon.
“My hope is that we can make some modest progress in areas where we agree and where we’ve been working together,” Mr. Obama told reporters. “My hope is that by the time Congress adjourns, before the election, that we will have an agreement in place to fund the government.”
However, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan objected in the meeting to an “omnibus” spending bill later in the year that would fund all government agencies through a single, mammoth piece of legislation. The Wisconsin Republican expressed a “desire to get the appropriations process working,” and also talked about “the importance of taking care of our military through the appropriations process,” an aide to Mr. Ryan said.
Some conservative House lawmakers are urging Mr. Ryan to support a spending bill that would fund the government at current levels into spring 2017.
The current fiscal year ends Sept. 30. Congress and the administration have yet to agree on legislation to fund government operations beyond that date.
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Lawmakers in both parties are eager to leave Washington soon so vulnerable incumbents can campaign for re-election.
Earlier Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, said he’s taken the procedural steps to bring a stopgap spending bill to the Senate floor for a vote this week. He said the measure, known as a continuing resolution, would fund the government at current levels through Dec. 9, while providing money for the Zika fight.
“We have made a lot of important progress already,” Mr. McConnell said.
Negotiators have said they expect a bill to keep spending at current levels. But the administration and lawmakers also are working on additional funding for the Zika virus of more than $1 billion, as well as disaster relief for flood victims in Louisiana and to aid the city of Flint, Michigan, with its water-contamination crisis.
The president meet with Mr. Ryan and Mr. McConnell, both Republicans; Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Mr. Obama said his priorities are to “make sure the government stays open,” and to “adequately fund” the Zika battle and devise vaccines to prevent further outbreaks.
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Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat, said his staff is working “diligently” with majority Republicans to find a way forward on federal spending and Zika. Democrats have objected to a GOP provision that would block Zika funding from going to any Planned Parenthood affiliates in Puerto Rico.
“We’re still trying to work something out,” Mr. Reid said. “The Republicans need to get away from their vendetta against Planned Parenthood.”
Congress returned to Washington only last week after a seven-week summer recess. Mr. Obama returned to Washington Friday after a nine-day trip to Asia, plus a two-week August vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
The president said he also discussed with congressional leaders his desire for Congress to vote after the elections on Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, criminal justice reform and on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade deal.
“After the election, I’m even more hopeful that we can get some things done,” the president said.
• Tom Howell Jr. contributed to this report.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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