Month: January 2019

House lawmakers are turning their attention toward disaster relief aid as the partial government shutdown enters its 26^th day. The lower chamber will begin consideration of a $12 billion supplemental spending bill (H.R. 268) for relief and recovery aid to states impacted by recent hurricanes, typhoons, wildfires & other natural disasters. Lawmakers have also queued up 14 amendments to the underlying bill, suggesting that final passage may come later tonight or tomorrow.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Begins Consideration of Disaster Relief Bill”

House Democrats disclosed the next phase of the majority’s plan to reopen the government yesterday as the partial government funding lapse drags on to its 25^th day. House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced that the House will take up a pair of continuing resolutions (CR) this week that would temporarily reopen federal agencies without funding President Trump's border wall priority. The first short-term CR (H.J.Res.27) — which would fund closed government agencies until February 1 — will be called up for a vote under suspension of the rules today. The second CR (H.J.Res.28) would provide funding through February 28 and is expected to be taken up on Thursday.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Democrats Prepare New Push to Reopen Government”

While the federal government is closed today following a snow-filled weekend in D.C., lawmakers are still set to return to Washington amidst what has become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Facing increasing pressure to deliver a solution, the Trump administration is contemplating a plan to declare a national emergency to bypass Congress and fund the president’s border wall priority. The proposed plan would reportedly tap into unused funds in the Army Corps of Engineers budget — a move that would certainly face opposition in Congress and the courts, but could create a path to ending the 24-day partial government shutdown. However, President Trump seems intent on pursuing his border wall through the Congress despite his weekend rejection of a compromise floated by Senate Republicans.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Historic Shutdown Drags On As White House Weighs Options”

After a week of failed negotiations and messaging exercises, the White House and lawmakers have not made significant progress toward a deal to end the partial government shutdown. Facing increased pressure to deliver a solution, the Trump administration is considering a plan to declare a national emergency to bypass Congress and fund the president’s border wall priority. The proposed plan would tap unused funds in the Army Corps of Engineers budget — a move that would certainly face opposition in Congress and the courts but could create a path to end the 21-day partial government shutdown.

Continue reading “Today, Next Week in Congress: National Emergency Declaration Seen as Most Likely Endgame for Partial Shutdown”

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are remaining steadfast in their respective positions on the partial government shutdown as a deal to fund the shuttered departments and agencies remains elusive. After passing the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) funding bill yesterday, House Democrats have queued up a pair of measures (H.R. 265; H.R. 267) that would fund the Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation as well as several independent agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While it was rumored that dozens of House GOP lawmakers would join the majority’s effort to reopen the government, White House officials and GOP leadership appeared to stymie further defection as only eight Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in voting for the FSGG bill.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: No Progress on Funding Deal As Government Shutdown Enters 20th Day”

Democratic lawmakers are readying attempts to end the partial government shutdown as the funding lapse enters its 19^th day. In the House, members are set to vote on a series of individual government funding bills, starting with a vote today on the Financial Services and General Government bill that would fund the Treasury Department, Executive Office of the President (EOP), and an assortment of independent agencies. Despite increased House GOP support for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) plan, it remains unlikely that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will allow a vote on these spending bills absent support from President Trump, who reiterated his stance in a primetime address last night.

Continue reading “Today in Congress: House Dems Ready Push to End Partial Shutdown”

With both sides still far apart in talks to end the partial shutdown, House Democrats disclosed the next phase of their funding strategy as they look to put pressure on GOP lawmakers to reopen shuttered parts of the federal government. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced on Saturday that the House will vote on individual government funding bills this week, starting with the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill, which funds the Treasury Department, Executive Office of the President, and an assortment of independent agencies. Other spending bills that Democrats will consider this week would reopen the Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and the departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. While the strategy may attract some House GOP support, it’s doubtful whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will allow a vote on any of these bills absent support from President Trump. 

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Press to Resolve Government Shutdown”