Today on the Hill: House Lawmakers Set to Pass Farm Bill

The federal government inched closer to a partial government shutdown yesterday following a fervid oval office meeting between President Trump and Democratic leadership. President Trump told House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that he would be “proud” to shut down the government if the spending deal does not include his $5 billion border security request, frustrating Republican lawmakers who are looking to avoid an end-of-the-year spending fight. Leaders Pelosi and Schumer both reiterated their desire to pass the six funding bills where lawmakers have agreement, and extend the current Homeland Security funding until next September through a continuing resolution (CR).

In notable leadership news, Leader Pelosi is reportedly on the verge of a deal with Democrats who once opposed her speakership that could secure the votes she needs to hold the speaker’s gavel in the next Congress. Under the tentative terms of the deal, Democratic leadership would be allowed to serve for only three terms. If any leader wanted to exceed that limit by one term, he or she would need a two-thirds majority in the Democratic Caucus. In light of the tentative deal, several of the Democrats who previously opposed Leader Pelosi are said to be ready to support her in the final floor vote on January 3.

On the floor, House lawmakers are set to pass the Farm Bill (H.R. 2) this afternoon. The measure passed (87-13) the Senate yesterday, and is expected to clear the lower chamber despite conservative ire over a lack of tougher work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the final version of the bill. In the Senate, lawmakers are expected to debate and vote on a resolution that would order an end to military involvement in the war in Yemen — one of several measures that lawmakers are considering to punish Saudi Arabia following the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi.