Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is threatening to hold up a short-term funding package that needs to pass by the end of the day Friday to avoid a government shutdown unless leaders in Congress agree to vote on amedments to offset the cost of new spending in the proposal.

Paul has significant leverage to force colleagues to vote on spending cuts because congressional leaders are late in unveiling the continuing resolution, which is expected to fund the government until March 14.

The House may not even vote on the package until Wednesday or Thursday, which means Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will need........

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