Senate Breaks for August After Nominations Stalemate
After repeatedly demanding that the Senate remain in session to confirm dozens of Trump appointees, President Donald Trump finally relented late Saturday, posting on social media that Republicans should instead “go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are.” This post followed a series of contentious negotiations between the two parties over […]
- December 21, 2018
Today on the Hill: Shutdown Odds Raise After House Approves Trump’s Wall Funding
Read MoreHouse GOP lawmakers rejected Senate-passed legislation that would have provided a “clean” extension of government funding for seven weeks, opting instead to pass a stopgap bill that would provide $5.7 billion for President Trump's proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall and $8 billion for emergency disaster aid. President Trump told GOP leadership he would veto the Senate-passed […]
- December 20, 2018
Today on the Hill: Senate Advances Short-Term Spending Measure
Read MoreLate yesterday evening, Senators moved to avert a partial government shutdown by passing a seven-week continuing resolution (CR) by voice vote. Despite a slight snag over reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Senate advanced the stopgap spending bill — which would extend government funding until February 8 for the nine federal departments […]
- December 19, 2018
Today on the Hill: CR to February Emerges As Likely Funding Scenario
Read MoreCongressional leaders are reportedly making preparations to punt the government funding deadline into next year. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) stated that the Senate is close to advancing a continuing resolution (CR) that would extend funding for the departments covered by the seven unfinished appropriations measures until early February. The deal will likely be […]
- December 18, 2018
Today in Congress: House Set to Consider Year-End Tax Package
Read MoreHouse Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has queued up another attempt to vote on a year-end tax package (text; summary) this week following an additional revamp designed to win broader support. The latest version of the bill restores an extension of two expired tax breaks: one for a biodiesel tax credit and another for a railroad […]
- December 17, 2018
This Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Look to Break Government Funding Gridlock
Read MoreLawmakers will return to Washington this week in the hopes of striking a deal to avoid a partial government shutdown. The appropriations process has been deadlocked in a contentious debate over President Trump’s $5 billion border wall demand, leaving the seven remaining funding bills in limbo heading into Friday’s deadline. Among some of the options […]
- December 13, 2018
Today on the Hill: Pelosi Strikes Deal With Foes Likely Ensuring Speakership
Read MoreHouse Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) struck a deal with a group of insurgent Democratic lawmakers that will likely ensure she’ll have the votes she needs to claim the speaker’s gavel in the 116th Congress. The agreement would limit her tenure and that of Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to no more […]
- December 12, 2018
Today on the Hill: House Lawmakers Set to Pass Farm Bill
Read MoreThe 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 […]
- December 11, 2018
Today on the Hill: Agriculture Leaders Release Highly Anticipated Farm Bill Text
Read MoreHouse and Senate Agriculture negotiators have released the text (summary) for the final version of the Farm Bill, putting lawmakers on track to pass the five-year legislation this week. The legislation omits conservative-backed work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients — a move that will likely increase support among Democrats in both chambers. Despite President […]
- December 10, 2018
This Week on the Hill: Congress Set to Resume Funding Fight
Read MoreFollowing an emotional week of remembrance for the late former President George H.W. Bush, Congress is poised to resume talks on a deal to fund the rest of the government. The contentious debate over President Trump’s border wall demands has deadlocked the final stretch of the FY2019 appropriations process, leaving seven funding bills in limbo. […]
- December 6, 2018
Today on the Hill: Action Looms on Two-week Funding Bill
Read MoreCongressional lawmakers are expected to clear the two-week funding bill by unanimous consent today, putting the bill on President Trump’s desk prior to Friday’s government funding deadline. Funding for parts of the federal government is currently set to expire tomorrow at midnight, but Congress is deadlocked over Trump’s demand for $5 billion in funding for a […]
- December 4, 2018
Today on the Hill: Lawmakers Introduce Short-Term Funding Extension
Read MoreCongressional appropriators have released a two-week funding bill that would delay a partial government shutdown until Friday, December 21. The bill includes a clean extension for outstanding government funding, as well as an additional extension for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which was also set to expire this Friday. Leaders from both parties — […]
- December 3, 2018
This Week on the Hill: White House, Congress Eye Short-Term Funding Extension
Read MoreCongressional negotiators and White House officials are discussing a short-term funding bill budget bill that would delay a partial government shutdown while Washington prepares for the state funeral of former President George H.W. Bush. Among the details still being ironed out is whether the short-term extension would push the funding deadline by one or two […]