OMNIBUS APPROPS BILL STALLS FOR SECOND DAY

With the clock ticking toward the Friday expiration of a stopgap measure funding the government, House and Senate appropriators stalled for the second straight day in their effort to complete work on a nine-bill omnibus spending package that includes the FY2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Act. Appropriators had hoped to unveil the spending bill the last two days, but issues outside of the Energy and Water bill reportedly held up the legislation. The delays mean that lawmakers will have very limited time to vote on the bill before the current Continuing Resolution expires Friday. Energy and Water appropriators are believed to have completed work on their portion of the bill, which includes funding for the NNSA and Department of Energy cleanup.