The senators originally promised to include the measures in a year - end
spending bill, but because Congress is only working to pass a short -
term extension of federal government funding this week, Collins and Alexander say they will include the
bills in an
omnibus bill in January.
The deal included a variety of specifics, including new funding for disaster relief and opioid treatment, but more specifically, it extended current
spending levels until March 23 and trusted Congress to use the intervening time to pass appropriations
bills (or one big
omnibus deal) in accordance with the
terms of the deal.