APPROPRIATIONS/BUDGET NEWS
House CR vote up in the air
Shortly after the Senate last night approved the CR running through February 8th, House Republicans and various media outlets spoke up in protest.
Politico Playbook summarizes what happened:
“HOUSE REPUBLICANS have not decided whether to pass this bill today — they put off a decision last night. They have a party meeting at 10 a.m., but they had a rough night last night. The whip team surveyed House Republicans last night and found out that southern lawmakers were peeved the short-term spending bill included no disaster money. TO BE SURE, the stopgap spending bill would likely still pass, being carried mostly by Democrats.
“CONSERVATIVES in the House Freedom Caucus are livid, and they took to the floor last night to rap Republicans for not building the wall as part of this spending bill. The topic took up the first 10 minutes of Fox News’ “Hannity” last night. Expect to see Freedom Caucus folks all day today on Fox News to try to tell the president he shouldn’t fold.
“CNN’S OLIVER DARCY (@oliverdarcy) at 7:26 p.m.: ‘Trump’s media allies are not happy w/his retreat on the border wall. Breitbart has called it a ‘cave.’ Drudge says ‘TRUMP IN RETREAT.’ Rush Limbaugh says Trump’s going to ‘get less than nothing.’ And Fox News leading its website right now with a roundup of frustrated reactions.’
“NORTH CAROLINA REP. MARK MEADOWS, who certainly has the president’s ear, told a group of us reporters this last night: “The last time I checked, I don’t think our tactical advantage increases in February. … It is Congress’s fault [the president didn’t get the wall] on his desk. But there is only one person who could fix it now. And that’s the president of the United States. ‘HOW WOULD HE FIX IT: ‘By vetoing this bill. ‘ AND THEN WHAT: ‘Renegotiating.””
We are hearing that the Republican House Members biggest concern is that the President will veto the bill.
Anticipating that the House might not approve the CR, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced the Senate would be in session today, “We have to see what the House does with what we just sent them.”
Tax Reform Vote today
The House has also scheduled a vote today on HR 88, the Retirement, Savings, and Other Tax Relief Act of 2018 and the Taxpayer First Act of 2018.
A vote last week on the bill was cancelled because there were not enough Republicans in town for it. Democrats are expected to vote against the legislation.
Not sure if this will pass today. The House only had about 360 members, in attendance last night…180-190 were Democrats.
For more information, contact:
Jerry Chouinard
Deep Water Point Legislative Affairs Lead
jerry.chouinard@deepwaterpoint.com
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