Congress Reaches Deal To Fund Federal Government Through September

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York speak to reporters about the Congressional Budget Office projection that 14 million people would lose health coverage under the House Republican bill dismantling former President Barack Obama's health care law, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March, 13, 2017.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York speak to reporters about the Congressional Budget Office projection that 14 million people would lose health ... House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York speak to reporters about the Congressional Budget Office projection that 14 million people would lose health coverage under the House Republican bill dismantling former President Barack Obama's health care law, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March, 13, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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Congressional leaders on Sunday night reached a deal to fund the federal government through September, setting Congress up to vote on the legislation this week and avoid a government shutdown.

Democrats appeared to be happy with the compromise funding measure, which will not include money to build a border wall.

“This agreement is a good agreement for the American people, and 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,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) noted that the funding deal eliminates certain Republican riders – unrelated policy measures tacked onto the funding measure.

“From the beginning, Democrats have sought to avert another destructive Republican Government Shutdown, and we have made significant progress improving the omnibus bill.  We have eliminated more than 160 Republican poison pill riders, ranging from undermining a woman’s right to reproductive health to dismantling Dodd-Frank’s vital Wall Street consumer protections.  The omnibus does not fund President Trump’s immoral and unwise border wall or create a cruel new deportation force,” Pelosi said in a statement.

She also said that the funding measure increases funding for the National Institutes of Health, secures health benefits for coal workers, adds money to fight the opioid epidemic, and includes Medicaid funds for Puerto Rico.

Congress is expected to vote on the funding package providing about $1 trillion early this week, according to the Washington Post.

The deal comes after Congress had to pass a one-week stopgap funding measure to avert a government shutdown while leaders from both parties hashed out a final agreement to fund the government through September. Initially, demands from the Trump administration that the bill include funding for a wall along the southern border threatened negotiations on the funding measure, but the White House ultimately dropped that demand.

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  1. Uh oh, what kind of cynical, snarky comments will we TPMers be able to come up with for this one? Sounds like an unqualified win for the American people!

  2. But will he sign it ?

  3. Avatar for drwho drwho says:

    From WaPo:

    "The package includes $61 million to reimburse local law enforcement
    agencies for the cost of protecting Trump when he travels to his
    residences in Florida and New York, a major priority for the two New
    York Democrats involved in the spending talks, Schumer and Rep. Nita M.
    Lowey. Among the bipartisan victories is $407 million in
    wildfire relief for western states and a decision to permanently extend a
    program that provides health-care coverage for coal miners. "

    And the commenters there agree too. To quote:
    “How effective are Trump’s management style and skills of persuasion? In the first government funding bill, Schumer and Pelosi praise while Ryan remains mum. Are we sick of winning yet?”

    At first glance, this is a win for the Dems!! Now to win the message.

    ETA: Read the comments over at WaPo, many happy folks on there! :smile:

  4. Avatar for drwho drwho says:

    And the only thing I can take issue with, is that deal hasn’t gone to a vote yet. I wouldn’t trust the repubs to hang together on any agreement.

  5. Since the deal isn’t signed yet, given Trump’s penchant for chaos, I’m on “puns and needles.”

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