BREAKING:Deal Reached to Fund Government Through the Fall

The swamp monster will be fed. The deficit will continue to climb.

Congressional leaders have reached a deal to fund the government through fall sources tell NBC.

-RW 

UPDATE

This baby is going to explode the budget deficit.

From CBS:

The legislation, known as an omnibus spending package, is expected to fund the government through the rest of fiscal 2017, which ends September 30. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the comprehensive measure this week before funding runs out on Friday night.

The package does not include any funding for President Trump’s planned wall along the U.S.-Mexico border or a deportation force, according to a senior congressional aide.

In fact, the legislation specifically states that there cannot be construction of a new wall. The White House backed off of demand for wall funding last week after Democrats made it clear that they would oppose any bill that includes it.

Instead, it includes $1.5 billion for border security, which would cover technology and repairing existing infrastructure.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), said in a statement late Sunday that it’s a “good agreement” that “takes the threat of a government shutdown off the table.”

“The bill ensures taxpayer dollars aren’t used to fund an ineffective border wall, excludes poison pill riders, and increases investments in programs that the middle-class relies on, like medical research, education, and infrastructure,” he said.

The bill also does not fulfill the administration’s request for $18 billion in cuts for non-defense domestic programs, the aide said. CBS News reported earlier this month that negotiators were expected to ignore that request, partially because it’s so late into the fiscal year. Instead, the legislation includes spending boosts to domestic programs.

If approved by Congress, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for example, would receive a $2 billion funding increase despite the president’s request to cut it.

Almost all of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget, 99 percent, is protected, according to the aide, even though the administration asked for a steep cut.

The deal delivers about half of Mr. Trump’s request for $30 billion more in defense spending. The aide said that it would include a $12.5 billion increase with the possibility of an additional $2.5 billion, which would be contingent on the administration’s strategy to fight ISIS.


It includes a permanent funding fix for retired coal miners’ health benefits, the aide said, as well as $295 million for Puerto Rico’s Medicaid shortfall. There are no funding cuts to Planned Parenthood in the package, the aide added, and it would restore year-round Pell Grants

UPDATE 2

Justin Amash tweets:

Another deal to grow government. Instead of compromising to cut spending, each side agrees to let the other side spend more. https://t.co/kezjj7LSkv

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 1, 2017