House GOP approves waiving three-day rule for funding measure

The House Rules Committee approved a rule Wednesday that would allow Republicans to bring a measure funding the government through September to the floor immediately.

In a voice vote, the committee approved a rule that sets the terms of debate for a one-week funding bill to keep the federal government funded through April 15. The bill also would fund the Pentagon through the end of the fiscal year while cutting $12 billion from current spending levels.

Perhaps more importantly, the rule would waive a requirement included in the House Rules stating that a measure must be introduced three days before it is considered on the House floor.

The GOP introduced that rule so that members would have time to read bills before voting on them. Republicans had criticized Democrats when they were in the majority for rushing lengthy bills to the floor.

But, with less than two days before current government funding is set to expire, Republicans decided to waive the rule for a funding measure. They want to grant Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) enough flexibility to call up a bill as soon as it is available in order to avert a government shutdown set to begin Saturday, when a measure funding the government expires.

Boehner was scheduled to meet with President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Wednesday night at the White House.

The official rule governing debate on the one-week measure states that House Republicans have until Sunday to call up a bill on the same day that it is available. It would allow members to call up a different short-term continuing resolution, as well as a long-term continuing resolution, on the same day.

The short-term continuing resolution could run for just a few days, to give Republicans time to consider a deal hashed out with Democrats.

The House is scheduled to consider the rule on Thursday.

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