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News and updates

CR Lasting Through Feb. 8 Unveiled

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The Senate is currently working on a continuing resolution (CR) that would keep the government open through February 8 of next year.  Along with keeping the departments and agencies financed through the seven currently unsigned appropriations bill funded through February 8, the measure would also extend a number of other expiring or expired programs, such as the National Flood Insurance and Temporary Assistance of Needy Families programs.

After Senate passage, the House, which is scheduled to reconvene this evening, will need to take up the measure.

Although President Trump has backed off his earlier call for a shutdown, it still remains to be seen whether he will sign this CR.

 

 

White House Backs Down on Shutdown Threat

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It appears that the White House is backing away from President’s Trump threat to shut down parts of the government over funding for a Southern border wall.  Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said earlier today that there are other ways to get $5 billion for the wall.

Although the White House has pulled back from shutdown threat, it remains to be seen how the Friday shutdown deadline will be dealt with, as Congressional Republicans, Democrats, and the Administration must all agree on a plan before then.

Read more here and here.

 

Members of Washington Delegation to Assume New Leadership Roles

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The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee in the House released yesterday its slate of recommendations for most committee chair positions for next Congress.  As expected, the committee has recommended that Rep. Adam Smith, representing the Ninth Congressional District of Washington and the current top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, take over the position of Chairman when the Democrats assume control of the chamber in January.

The Senate Democrats also released yesterday their committee leadership roster for next Congress. Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington, currently the top Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will give up that post to assume the top Democratic slot on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.  Sen. Patty Murray will remain as the Ranking Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

 

Two-Week CR Signed

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President Trump has signed into law a two-week continuing resolution (CR). The most recent CR pushes back the deadline for an agreement on the unsigned FY2019 spending bills to December 21.

Two-Week CR Expected Today

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Congress is expected to take up today a two-week continuing resolution to keep the entire federal government operating through December 21.

The negotiations between the different sides during this additional two-week window will determine what happens after the new shutdown deadline.