By Erik Wasson/The Hill
The chances for a protracted government spending battle this fall went up dramatically on Thursday when House appropriators released a labor and health spending bill filled with at least 40 new controversial policy provisions.
The bill, produced by appropriator Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and not scheduled for a markup, will serve as a marker in negotiations over funding the government after the Senate-passed continuing resolution runs out Nov. 18.
In addition to defunding key elements of Obama’s healthcare reform and Planned Parenthood, it also defunds NPR, limits appropriations for public broadcasting and defunds President Obama’s signature Race to the Top school grants initiative.