Gingrich: Shutdown Bill Will Pass

THE DAILY FED

Gingrich: Shutdown Bill Will Pass

House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., predicted Wednesday that the House would pass a supplemental appropriations bill next week including a government shutdown provision that will likely draw a presidential veto.

"I think we'll get it moved probably before the end of the first week we're back, and I hope the President will sign it," said Gingrich, according to the Associated Press.

The $8.5 million supplemental bill is designed primarily to provide aid to flood-ravaged regions of North and South Dakota. But one of the reasons Congress failed to move the measure before its Memorial Day recess was partisan disagreement over a provision designed to prevent a government shutdown if Congress fails to pass fiscal 1998 funding bills before Sept. 30. In that event, the provision would fund federal operations at current budget levels.

President Clinton argues that programs should be funded at levels included in the recent fiscal 1998 budget agreement reached between the administration and congressional leaders.

Gingrich told reporters he regretted that the supplemental measure didn't pass before Congress took its recess, but said there was no danger of disaster relief programs running out of money. It was important, he indicated, to keep the anti-shutdown measure in the bill.

"It better serves the interests of the American people to keep the government open," said Gingrich. "It better serves the interests of the American people to make sure we're spending the money in a frugal manner."