Congress has barely three weeks to pass seven appropriation bills to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Looming over the daunting process is President Trump’s proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall.
The House’s current funding for the Department of Homeland Security includes $5 billion for the wall. With Democrats seizing power in January, the coming fight represents the best bargaining position Republicans have to strengthen border security until at least January 2021 – and only if Trump wins reelection.
Congress also has the chance to reevaluate how the U.S. spends its foreign aid. This comes after the president’s announcement to cut aid to Central American countries in retaliation for enabling a migrant caravan.
Meanwhile, retiring Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) floated the idea of inserting wording to shield special counsel Robert Mueller in the final appropriations bill if it couldn’t pass on a standalone vote.
Flake’s insistence on protecting Mueller could muck up negotiations.