McConnell said that while there is widespread agreement an omnibus is better than a CR, Republicans want increased defense spending and more funding for Ukraine.

“Our feeling is that the Democrats have met a number of their domestic priorities previously” through 2021’s $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package and this year’s budget reconciliation law, which contained roughly $450 billion in clean energy and health care-related spending, McConnell said.

“And they’re insistent on continuing to request astronomical increases on the nondefense, domestic side, is a sticking point,” McConnell said. “So that’s where we are and we’re going to keep talking to each other and hopefully work this out.”

McConnell said it is a “difficult choice” between pursuing a full-year CR, which would keep spending levels flat, or pursuing an omnibus, which would allow for increased defense spending and more Ukraine aid.

[Tactically, it would be better to wait until after the first of the year … assuming that House Republicans can align quickly under a new Speaker and stick together on funding issues. If that doesn’t look possible, then it’s probably better to clear the decks now on budget issues. — Ed]