Month: July 2019

Senators may look to wrap up legislative business for the summer later this afternoon. In addition to a host of presidential nominations, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has queued up the bipartisan budget agreement for a vote at some point during today’s session. Final passage of the measure — which would boost spending by $321 billion over the next two years while also suspending the debt ceiling — could be closer than expected, as some GOP Senators have expressed uneasiness with the plan to increase spending. However, leadership expressed confidence that the bill would pass the chamber and be swiftly signed by President Donald Trump.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Budget Deal Fast-tracked As Senate Eyes Recess”

Senators will reconvene this afternoon as they look to wrap up key legislative priorities ahead of the August recess. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is expected to swiftly call up the House-passed budget deal (text; summary), as the upper chamber will need to hit the ground running in September on the 2020 appropriations process. In addition to a vote on the budget deal, Senators are expected to consider a significant number of presidential nominees prior to adjourning. A full list of nominations up for consideration this week can be accessed here.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Senate Closes Out Summer Legislative Session”

House lawmakers cleared (284-149) the sweeping budget package (text; summary) yesterday, addressing both the federal borrowing limit and budgetary spending caps prior to leaving for the six-week August recess. The Senate is scheduled to follow suit early next week, as the upper chamber will need to hit the ground running in September on the 2020 appropriations process. In addition to a vote on the budget deal, Senators are expected to consider a significant amount of presidential nominees. A full list of nominations up for consideration next week can be accessed here. 

Lawmakers are set to strap in for another busy day of legislative business both on and off the floor. In the lower chamber, House lawmakers are expected to pass the compromise budget deal (text; summary) later today, addressing key fiscal deadlines ahead of the six-week August recess. The deal provides for a $321 billion boost in federal spending over the next two years, while also suspending the debt ceiling for two years. The Senate is expected to swiftly take up the bipartisan spending agreement next week prior to the upper chamber’s adjournment.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Budget Deal, Drug Pricing Markup Headline Significant Activity on Capitol Hill”

Congressional leaders and President Donald Trump have struck a compromise budget deal (text; summary) that would address pressing deadlines for the federal debt ceiling and budgetary spending caps. The deal provides for a $321 billion boost in federal spending over the next two years, with $738 billion for defense spending and $632 billion for non-defense in fiscal year (FY) 2020 and $740.5 billion for defense and $634.5 billion for non-defense in FY 2021. By waiving the spending caps for FY 2020 and 2021, the agreement essentially marks the end of the 2011 Budget Control Act which is set to expire at the end of 2021. 

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Leaders Strike Bipartisan Budget Deal”

White House and Congressional leaders are still working to finalize details of a sweeping budget deal that would address the debt ceiling and budgetary spending caps. Reports suggest that both sides are zeroing in on a deal that would include spending offsets that total less than the administration’s $150 billion demand, as well as a two-year suspension of the debt ceiling. Negotiators are still waiting for President Donald Trump to sign off on this latest proposal. If the president signs off on the deal, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will look to muscle the package through the lower chamber prior to the six-week August recess.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Leaders Look to Clinch Budget Deal”