Top GOP Appropriators Clinch Topline Government Spending Deal

The lead Republican appropriators have agreed any funding deal for the rest of the fiscal year should cut spending compared to current levels, setting up high-stakes talks with Democrats ahead of the government shutdown deadline at the end of next month.

House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) announced Saturday he and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) agreed any money for the appropriations bills that have yet to be passed for the ongoing fiscal year should “be below the funding level projected” in the ongoing stopgap funding bill that expires on Jan. 30.

“This agreement provides a strong ...