McConnell signals Senate is nearing spending deal

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday indicated that the Senate was approaching a compromise to pass an omnibus spending package that would set the federal budget for next year.

"I think we're very close to getting an omnibus appropriations bill," McConnell said at a Republican conference lunch on Tuesday, according to The Hill. The deadline to pass such a measure stands at Dec. 22 and the Kentucky senator has ruled out reconvening Congress after Christmas should the upper chamber fail to do so.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, has indicated that the Senate was working toward a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown while lawmakers negotiated the larger package. He did, however, emphasize his preference that the chamber advance the omnibus.

"The benefits of an omnibus are as many as the number of citizens in America," he said Monday. "All of us are better off when the government is fully equipped to provide vital services millions rely on," he said, per the outlet.

The Senate leaders' statements come as some Republican urge the GOP to hold off on negotiating a large-scale budget plan for the next year until the new Congress convenes in January. As Republicans will assume control of the lower chamber, budget hawks hope to leverage their majority to secure concessions on spending.