A deal being proposed by Speaker of the House John Boehner that would fund most of the government through next September 30 has met with the approval of soon to be ex-Majority Leader in the Senate Harry Reid, clearing the way for Congress to avoid a government shut down. Boehner's plan, known as "Cromnibus," would fund 11 government departments for the next fiscal year, while the Department of Homeland Security would only be funded through March. The funding for DHS would be revisited in the new Congress with a GOP majority at which time it is hoped that Republicans can find a way to defund the president's amnesty executive order. The Hill: If the spirit of compromise holds, it could give GOP leaders in the House and Senate what they have long wanted: a chance to “clear the decks” for their new majority in January. The key issue is the government funding bill, and Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) strategy for avoiding a shutdown and...(Read Full Post)