01/04/2018

Another Short-term Funding Bill Likely

The continuing resolution would likely fund the government until Feb. 19

Congressional leaders from both parties met with White House staff yesterday to begin hashing out a budget deal and avoid another government shutdown threat.

Before the meeting, however, there was a lot of political posturing about the upcoming Jan. 19 deadline to avoid a shutdown. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sent a letter to her Democratic colleagues on Tuesday insisting that Democrats stay firm on the need for parity in the defense and domestic budget caps and action to save the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

President Donald Trump meanwhile tweeted that that Democrats are “doing nothing for DACA” and are “just interested in politics.” Trump has insisted that any immigration deal must include funding for his controversial border wall and other enhanced border security reforms.

After passing a tax bill on a party-line vote at the end of last year, Republicans will have to negotiate with Democrats on high-priority issues in 2018, including a long-term budget deal. After Doug Jones’ victory in Alabama last month, Republicans hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, meaning they will need Democratic support to advance priorities like infrastructure or welfare reform.

Even if party leaders are able to hammer out a budget deal, many lawmakers and staff say Congress will probably have to pass another short-term funding bill to fund the government past Jan. 19. That short-term continuing resolution would likely fund the government until Feb. 19, the Presidents' Day holiday.

This article was provided to OSAE by the Power of A and ASAE's Inroads.