Since the 1999 fiscal year began Oct. 1, Republicans and the White House have agreed to a stop-gap measure to keep the government running through Friday, when funding will dry up and some services could be curtailed. The government was last shut down three winters ago. House Republicans continue to oppose the funding, but House Majority Leader Dick Armey said he would support it if the IMF agrees to reforms. A dispute over the use of sampling in the 2000 Census to estimate urban populations. Republicans, with court rulings on their side, oppose sampling.
Democrats say sampling is crucial to boosting minority and urban representation.
We're going to do whatever is necessary to keep government functions going,'' said Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi.