Do We Have a Deal on $1.75 Trillion?

Posted on October 28, 2021

The Biden White House released earlier this morning a “framework” on a $1.75-trillion reconciliation package that it hopes hits the sweet spot for the Democratic caucus in both chambers of Congress. The amount is half the original in the “Build Back Better” package that the progressives within the party had been pushing. Now it remains to be seen whether enough Democrats will actually vote for it in both chambers.

Among other provisions, the framework highlights a $550 increase in the Pell Grant maximum as well as funds for research infrastructure and capacity building at minority-serving institutions. The largest piece of the package is $555 billion dedicated climate- and environment-related activities. The statement on the framework also highlights $100 billion that would be dedicated to address a number of different immigration-related matters.

The framework is available on the White House website here. A White House statement is available here. The details have not yet been released.

Read more about the political dynamics around the package here and here.

We will provide additional details about the package as they become available.

Announcement: Federal Relations Autumn 2021 Town Hall

Posted on October 7, 2021

Please join us for the inaugural quarterly Federal Relations Town Hall.

Thursday, October 21st at 12:00pm PT

After a presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions or offer comments/concerns regarding the UW’s federal advocacy priorities.

If you would like to join in-person, please RSVP here. Space is limited.

If you would like to join via Zoom, please register here.

This event is restricted to members of the UW community. A valid Net-ID is required to participate.

Debt Ceiling Crisis Avoided… For Now

Posted on October 7, 2021

Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal last night that would, temporarily, prevent the debt ceiling being hit. The two sides agreed to increase the borrowing limits of the federal government by $480 billion through December 3. This would enable the government to make payments on its obligations through that date. However, this solution is only temporary.

December 3 is also the date on which the current continuing resolution that is keeping the government funded expires, meaning that another potential showdown over both the funding bills and the debt limit is probable in late November.

Read more about the agreement here and here.

The Government Stays Open But Still No Resolution On Infrastructure and Reconciliation

Posted on October 1, 2021

President Biden signed yesterday afternoon the continuing resolution that keeps the government open through December 3. However, there is still no resolution to the fight among Democrats over the the infrastructure and reconciliation packages.

Not surprisingly, the promised vote yesterday on the infrastructure legislation did not occur, as negotiations among various Democratic blocs and individuals continued into the evening and this morning. Read more about the situation here, here, and here.

Shutdown Likely Averted But Fight On Reconciliation and Infrastructure Continues

Posted on September 30, 2021

Democrats have decoupled the provision to raise the debt ceiling from the continuing resolution (CR) package that would keep the government funded through December 3. This has allowed the Senate to vote on the slimmed-down package this afternoon. After passage by the Senate, the package is expected to be taken up by the House quickly.

Although this means that a shutdown will be averted and that the government will be funded through at least the first few days of December, the question of how to deal with the impending breach of the debt ceiling remains unanswered. Read more about the CR situation here and here.

At the same time, Democrats continue to battle among themselves in a fight over if and when a budget reconciliation bill might be brought to the floor, a decision that also controls if and when the infrastructure legislation might be considered in the House. As noted previously, House progressives have insisted that the entirety of their $3.5-trillion package be brought up first as a way to guarantee their support for the infrastructure bill and to ensure that moderates who are not as comfortable with the size of the reconciliation legislation cannot just vote for the $1.5-trilllion infrastructure bill and oppose the bigger measure.

The same group of House progressives has insisted that the two Democratic Senators who appear to be the most prominent holdouts on the reconciliation bill, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema, offer up a counter-proposal to the $3.5-trillion figure. Just after lunchtime in DC today, Sen. Manchin publicly stated that he is interested in a reconciliation package that would be limited to $1.5 trillion. How these developments impact the negotiations remain to be seen.

Read more about the developments around reconciliation and infrastructure bills here, here, and here.