Article snippet: Republican and Democratic leaders on Monday agreed to a two-week stopgap spending measure that would put to rest fears of a partial government shutdown later this week. The short-term spending deal, if passed, would fund government agencies and extend expiring programs such as the National Flood Insurance Program through Dec. 21. It also would postpone a fight over funding levels for MORE’s proposed border wall. Sen. MORE (R-Ala.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said his goal “is to fund the government, to try to work around where we are.” “We’re obviously working toward an impasse,” he said on Monday. “We’ve got now until the 21st.” Shelby was spotted Monday afternoon linked arm-in-arm with Sen. MORE (Vt.), the most senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, as members of the Senate made their way together to the Capitol Rotunda, where former President George H.W. Bush will lie in state until Wednesday morning. Appetite for a rancorous fight over the border wall with Mexico subsided over the weekend following Bush’s death. The 41st president’s passing upended what was expected to be an intense week of negotiations ahead of a Dec. 7 funding deadline. Instead, lawmakers and much of Washington will spend the next few days remembering Bush, who was known for his character, steadiness and ability to cut deals with the other side. Following Bush’s death, Trump and Democratic leaders canceled a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, when the border wall... Link to the full article to read more