WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House Wednesday approved an extension of federal government funding until Dec. 8. House Democrats temporarily blocked a repeal of a controversial tax provision in the $388 billion 2005 omnibus-spending bill approved Saturday, citing the way they have been sidelined by Republican leaders intent on ramming their will through Congress.
The provision -- equally decried by Republicans and Democrats -- would allow the heads of two top congressional committees and their aides unfettered access to Internal Revenue Service records. It faces certain repeal.
Democrats say the measure is indicative of the poor state of congressional appropriations under the Republicans running Congress. It was added by aides without the knowledge of most members during the final hectic days of completing the catch-all spending bill that remains unread by most lawmakers.
Instead of allowing for a simple voice vote on repealing the tax provision and spending the broader bill forward, Democrats demanded a full House vote resulting in the need for continued temporary funding for the federal government at fiscal 2004 levels.
The Senate was expected to approve the funding extension later Wednesday.
