Congress on Track to Avert New Shutdown, Pass Funding for FCC; Trump Plans to Sign

Congress appeared on the way Thursday to enacting the seven remaining FY 2019 federal spending bills and avoiding a new partial government hiatus that would automatically shutter the FCC (see 1902130046). The current continuing resolution to temporarily fund agencies previously affected during the recent 35-day shutdown (see 1901280044) is to expire Friday night. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said President Donald Trump will sign the legislation but also intends to declare a national emergency to reallocate funds for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The Senate voted 83-16 Thursday to adopt an appropriators' conference report that would enact the remaining spending bills, which include appropriations for the FCC, FTC and NTIA. The House was to vote Thursday night. The legislation provides a combined $339 million to the FCC and its Office of Inspector General, almost $310 million to the FTC and $39.5 million to NTIA. It would clarify rules for the Department of Agriculture's $600 million ReConnect pilot distance learning, telemedicine and broadband program. Congress allocated the ReConnect pilot funding in March as part of the FY 2018 omnibus spending bill (see 1803220048).