We wanted to provide a brief update before closing shop for the holidays.
Appropriations: There will be no government shutdown. The Senate sent to President Trump yesterday by a 66-32 vote a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through January 19, provide funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and community health centers through March 31, appropriate $2.1 billion for a private care access program for veterans and temporarily extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act just until Jan. 19. Senate action came just hours after the House voted, 231-188, to pass the measure...
DACA: Along with delaying fiscal year federal spending until next year, Congress also punted efforts protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients...
Disaster Supplemental: Yesterday the House lawmakers passed, 251-169, an $81 billion disaster supplemental spending bill. Senators said there wouldn't be time to take up the measure before adjourning for the holidays. "I'll say that I'm disappointed that we're leaving here at the end of this year not having taken on a disaster relief bill," Senator Rubio said...
Spending Caps: Congressional leaders and the White House need to negotiate new fiscal 2018 spending levels to avoid a reduction in discretionary spending, due to the Budget Control Act of 2011. Negotiations...
Tax Code: This morning President Trump signed the GOP tax overhaul legislation passed earlier this week the House and Senate. The House voted 227-203 to adopt the conference report. A small number of House Republicans, including Representatives Darrell Issa and Dana Rohrabacher from California and the rest mostly from New York and New Jersey, joined with every Democrat in opposing the final tax bill...