Members of the House of Representatives finally got moving on the President’s agenda this week, passing legislation that slashes $15 billion in unused funds from the federal government’s budget.
Legislators enacted the law by a slim vote of 210-206, with over a dozen Republican lawmakers voting against the resolution.
“The vote is meant to put conservatives at ease about the huge two-year spending deal lawmakers reached this year, which will increase spending by about $300 billion over that period of time,” writes the Washington Examiner.
The White House worked hand-in-hand with GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy in crafting the legislation, titled “Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act.”
“As members, we are charged with being good stewards of taxpayer money. That is a responsibility we all have. It shouldn’t be a partisan exercise. And historically, it hasn’t been,” said the Congressman. “President Trump’s spending cut request is a straightforward and smart way to trim a bloated federal budget.”
Read the full report at the Washington Examiner.
DEMS DITCH DREAMERS: Dems BACK AWAY from DACA PLEDGE Ahead of Budget Talks
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are backing away from previous pledges to include ‘Dreamer’ protections in any upcoming budget negotiations; signaling their flexibility on finding a DACA solution ahead of the bipartisan discussions.
According to the Hill, the Democratic leaders are reversing course from promises made just weeks ago when they vowed to include a permanent DACA fix in any budget resolution heading into 2018; now urging both parties to “drop contentious” policies buried in the bill.
“I think that’s probably the best policy for us to do,” said House Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer. “It’s also politically the most feasible way to get an omnibus passed.”
“Our best leverage is 90 percent of the American people — 87 percent — think this ought to be done,” he added.
Not all Democrats are pleased with the decision, with outspoken immigration advocate Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois blasting the decision, saying “We need a budget or spending measure that includes the Dream Act.”
DONE DEAL: President Trump Signs HISTORIC TWO-YEAR Budget Agreement
Just hours after the House of Representatives passed a historic $400 billion budget agreement in the early hours Friday morning, President Trump signed the bill into law; funding the federal government for an additional two-years and averting a second ‘Schumer Shutdown.’
The House voted 240-186 to technically ‘re-open’ the government after GOP Sen. Rand Paul effectively shut down the United States government for hours after he blocked a late-night vote with his fiery speech on the Senate floor.
“Just signed Bill. Our Military will now be stronger than ever before. We love and need our Military and gave them everything — and more. First time this has happened in a long time. Also means JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!” tweeted the President.
“Ultimately, neither side got everything it wanted in this agreement, but we reached a bipartisan compromise that puts the safety and well-being of the American people first,” said Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. “Once the president signs this bill into law, we will have a clear path to pursue our ambitious agenda for 2018.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi predictably voted against the bipartisan budget agreement, claiming it did little to protect millions of ‘Dreamers’ currently residing in the United States.