A House-Senate conference committee convenes its first meeting Wednesday to negotiate a spending agreement to keep the government open past Feb. 15.
Immigration is the most contentious issue – with President Donald Trump insisting on funding for a southern border wall – but other issues have surfaced, too.
Democrats bristled at the suggestion by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) Tuesday that the package include a provision raising the debt limit; the federal government is on track to run of borrowing power this summer.
“Right now, my responsibility is dealing with Homeland Security, and I have not considered broadening the challenge,” House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said, according to CQ.
But her Senate counterpart, Republican Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said he is open to it.
“If we package something that we’re going to have to face anyway and get something done — especially if we get the shutdown syndrome out of the way — let’s do it,” he said, CQ reported.
Post-Leadership, McConnell Plans to Push for More Defense Funding
When Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell steps down from his Senate leadership role after the November elections, he’ll have at least two more years in the Senate. Now he’s signaled one of his priorities as a rank-and-file Senator is to increase defense funding,...
