The House is in recess this week, while the Senate is preparing to take up the remaining six appropriations bills.

Last week, the House passed a six-bill appropriations package which included funding for Defense; Labor–HHS–Education; Transportation–HUD; Financial Services; National Security; and Homeland Security. This minibus package represents the final legislative step needed to avoid a government shutdown at midnight on January 30.

The timeline has become more complicated due to the severe winter storm over the weekend. As a result, the Senate cancelled Monday’s votes and is only beginning floor action on the package today.

Prospects for clearing all six bills have become uncertain following controversy surrounding recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota over the past two weeks. In response, Senate Democrats have stated they will not provide the votes needed to proceed with the appropriations package if the Department of Homeland Security title remains included.

Any modification to the minibus such as removing the Homeland Security bill would require the House to vote again. However, the House is out of session this week for its scheduled recess, further tightening the timeline.

Funding for LIHEAP, determined through the Labor–HHS–Education bill, would increase by $20 million if the package is passed as written. While 90% of this year’s LIHEAP funds have already been released, the remaining 10% cannot be distributed until the appropriations bill is enacted.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing to examine Federal environment review and permitting process on Wednesday at 10:00 AM. You can watch the proceedings here.