Month: February 2019

Congress will return to Washington today as lawmakers scramble to fund the government ahead of Friday’s deadline. Despite optimism heading into the weekend about reaching a border security deal and funding the government past the Feb. 15 deadline, negotiators of the bipartisan border security Conference Committee indicated Sunday that the talks have hit an impasse over immigration detention policy and the total funding allocation. The talks have reportedly shifted away from a broader deal and toward a continuing resolution (CR) that would keep the government funded and provide negotiators with additional time.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Funding Negotiations Continue as Friday Deadline Looms”

Members of the bipartisan border security conference committee are reportedly close to clinching a deal that would not provide President Trump with his $5.7 border wall request but would avert a second shutdown. The proposal — which could be unveiled later today or Monday — would keep the government funded and provide additional border security spending on patrol agents, fencing, and upgraded detection technology. Lawmakers on the Conference Committee have indicated they will do whatever it takes to avoid another funding lapse despite the President’s potential opposition of the final deal.

Continue reading “Next Week in Congress: DHS Conference Committee Looks to Push Border Deal Across the Finish Line”

Senators are set to begin consideration of a bipartisan federal lands package championed by conservation advocacy groups. The Natural Resources Management Act (S.47) would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) — a program that uses federal oil and gas royalties from offshore drilling to fund acquisitions and easements of land and water — and also includes a host of provisions that would increase recreational access to federal lands and add to national parks and other land holdings. The Senate attempted to pass the lands package late last year in hopes of addressing the LWCF’s funding lapse, but was blocked by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rand Paul (R-KY).

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Senate Begins Consideration of Sweeping Federal Lands Package”

Congress returns this week as lawmakers resume border security Conference Committee negotiations. The odds of another funding lapse were raised after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) emphasized that the Democratic border security proposal will not include funding for President Trump’s border wall priority. If the Conference Committee is unable to produce a deal that appeases President Trump, the President has reiterated he is willing to either shut down the government again, or bypass Congress and utilize military construction resources for the wall through a national emergency declaration.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Border Security Talks Set to Resume; Trump to Deliver SOTU on Tuesday”

The odds of another partial government shutdown were raised yesterday after Democrats unveiled their initial border security proposal. The plan — which does not include funding for President Trump’s border wall priority — would allocate new funding for: (1) modernizing Border Patrol technology and infrastructure; (2) hiring 1,000 customs officers; and (3) “humanitarian” needs such as food and medical care. It’s a deal that the President is likely to reject, as he has reiterated he is willing to either shut down the government again, or bypass Congress and utilize military construction resources for the wall through a national emergency declaration.

Continue reading “Next Week in Congress: Conference Negotiations Set to Resume As Democrats Unveil Border Proposal”