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WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans controlling the Senate unveiled a government-wide $ 1.4 trillion spending bill on Tuesday, a largely bipartisan move that faces uncertain odds during this period of post turmoil. election in Washington.
The measure drafted by the GOP contains funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall and other provisions challenged by Democrats, but top leaders from both parties want to try to mount a campaign to enact the unfinished spending bills – which, with separate relief from the COVID-19 effort and the annual Defense Policy Bill, represent the bulk of Capitol Hill’s unfinished business for the year.
Success, however, depends on securing Trump’s signature, whose unpredictability and toxic relationship with Democrats threaten to doom the effort. The recent history of the lame sessions conducted as the White House turns around has been that unfinished spending bills are sent back next year, with existing funding simply left on autopilot.
“I’ve had this argument before and so far I’ve lost. I argued 12 years ago, during Obama’s transition, that the best thing to do to help the new president was to get this year’s job done, and we haven’t done it, ”he said. said Senator Roy Blunt, R-Mo. “Four years ago, I argued that … and we didn’t.
The question is about a third of the federal budget that Congress writes each year through a proven bipartisan process. The overall amount of spending was set by law in last year’s bipartisan mini-budget deal, so any delay into next year is unlikely to result in more money for the Biden administration. Current funding expires December 12.
The 12 spending measures, released by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., Have been on hold for months, trapped by fights for COVID relief and potential battles over reform issues. police. But he has the support of top-panel Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., And top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York to at least continue the effort. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Herself a former Credit Committee fighter, would also like to close unfinished business.
“Overall, these bills are the product of bipartisan cooperation among committee members,” Shelby said in a statement. “Time and time again, we have demonstrated our willingness to work together and get the job done. We have before us the opportunity to deliver once again for the American people.
But Leahy carefully avoided endorsing the measure outright and instead criticized the legislation for ignoring COVID-19 aid, violating safety net programs and the environment, and wasting money on beds. unused detention facilities for immigrants entering the country illegally.
Large swathes of the measure are indeed bipartisan, including a $ 696 billion defense budget that adds 96 F-35 fighters to the Pentagon’s ranks, funds nine Navy ships, and provides $ 69 billion for military operations. abroad. It passes $ 2 billion for 82 miles of border wall, which will certainly be fought by Democrats, as well as $ 8.8 billion for immigration and customs enforcement that Democrats charge is unnecessary because there is has fewer apprehensions of illegal border workers.
NASA, health research, and veterans programs would all be rewarded with healthy increases, while foreign aid and education programs would get smaller increases.
If the catch-all bill is to move forward, it will need to contain relief from COVID, such as funding to help schools reopen, immunize the country, help the unemployed and stimulate the economy.
“This country is heading into a deadly winter and it is high time for us to provide the resources the country needs to bring this virus under control and restore our economy,” Leahy said in a statement. “These bills do not provide any such relief. It is imperative that we do what is necessary to prevent this pandemic from spreading. “
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