Tentative agreement in Congress averts government shutdown
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A letter signed by 43 GOP members reveals that top conservatives are urging the conference to reject any spending bill package unless significant alterations to border policy are included.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson of La. arrives to speak to members of the media outside the West Wing after meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, February 27, 2024. (AP)
Key lawmakers and the White House have reached an initial agreement to provide funding for essential agencies, following delays caused by partisan disputes regarding the border, Axios reported.
With the deadline looming on Friday, the text remains incomplete, and Congress is swiftly running out of time. It is worth noting that Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News was the first to report on the preliminary agreement, as per the report.
A letter signed by 43 GOP members reveals that top conservatives are urging the conference committee to reject any spending bill package unless significant alterations to border policy are included.
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Congressional leaders were considering deferring the issue surrounding the Homeland Security bill and opting for a temporary funding solution to finance the agency. However, on Saturday night, the White House declined the short-term funding proposal, prompting a frantic scramble, reported Axios, citing sources from Congress and the administration.
Two sources stressed that the White House rejected the offer due to its inadequacy in ensuring DHS funding until September, especially amidst the ongoing challenges associated with the historic levels of migration at the border, as per Axios.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been the final component of the more complex of two sets of spending bills, known as "minibus".
Appropriators successfully resolved issues regarding funding for the UN agency focused on aiding Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which initially caused obstacles in passing the State bill. Republicans strongly opposed funding for the agency, citing Israeli unfounded accusations.
Despite reaching a compromise, lawmakers may need to waive their regulations or agree on passing another temporary spending measure to provide the Senate with additional time or avoid a weekend or short-term shutdown.
A temporary funding measure for DHS that doesn't notably increase its spending capacity could have serious repercussions for the agency's border operations, as per Axios.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has such limited funds that it has drafted plans for reducing detention and deportation efforts.
Read more: Members of US Congress demand reinstating full funding UNRWA
