Washington (CNN) Quick action on a short-term government spending bill to avert a shutdown stalled in the Senate on Wednesday after unnamed senators who are trying to advance public lands legislation objected to allowing an immediate vote. McConnell introduced the short-term funding bill earlier on Wednesday to fund the government through February 8, 2019, in an effort to avert a partial government shutdown this week. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said during a speech on the Senate floor, "Thankfully, President Trump appears to have backed down from his position for billions in direct appropriations for a border wall." Democrats have made clear that figure is a non-starter for them and any spending bill would need at least some Democratic votes to pass in the Senate. But on Tuesday, the White House appeared to step away from the brink of a shutdown.

Source: CNN December 19, 2018 16:14 UTC