House GOP forges ahead with plan to include defense (and Children’s Health Care) in spending bill

The Hill ^ | Dec 13, 2017 | Christina Marcos

[11th_VA]

House Republicans are moving ahead with a strategy to pass a short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown after next Friday, daring Democrats to oppose full-year defense funding and an extension of children’s health insurance.

The House Appropriations Committee released legislation on Wednesday evening that would keep the government open through Jan. 19. It would also fund the Defense Department through September 2018 and avert automatic sequestration cuts that would otherwise take effect, as well as extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for the next year.

In addition to seeking to avoid a shutdown next week, Republican leaders plan to have a final vote on their tax overhaul.

GOP lawmakers said after a closed-door meeting on Wednesday that assistance for communities affected by recent hurricanes and wildfires could also be included in the funding package. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) told lawmakers that a final aid measure isn't ready yet, though it is likely to be higher than the Trump administration's $44 billion request, according to Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.).

The stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), does not currently include any disaster aid. But GOP leaders could be short of enough votes to pass the legislation if it does not eventually include assistance for hurricane and wildfire victims.

[11th_VA]

Very clever - let the Rats oppose a short term spending bill that’s funds Children’s health care for the whole year. Almost popcorn time ...

[Raycpa]

Does Jones start on Jan 20?

[11th_VA]

Probably

[Jim from C-Town]

Trump should VETO any spending bill that isn’t part of a larger tax reduction bill.

[11th_VA]

If Trump gets Tax Reform, Military Budget without sequestration (and no reciprocal funding for social programs), he will have a winning year, regardless of what the Rats say.

[Drago]

“CHIP” is Medicaid (social program/welfare), so there goes the “...and no reciprocal funding for social programs” part. Wonder if the proposed CHIP funding is less than last years’ funding? After all, Congress will have to balance the budget in some future year, right? Maybe not, debt inflation forever!

[relee]

... Wonder if the proposed CHIP funding is less than last years’ funding ...

My guess is it'll be more than last year but less than the expected projected increase for 2018 so the Dems will call it a 'cut'.

[Cheerio]

"......as well as extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for the next year."

[TheConservativeTejano]

The House Appropriations Committee released legislation on Wednesday evening that would keep the government open through Jan. 19. It would also fund the Defense Department through September 2018 and avert automatic sequestration cuts that would otherwise take effect, as well as extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for the next year.

Why haven't the Pubblies gotten rid of sequestration???

Is this a 60-40 Senate vote to get rid of this?

We thought it is the duty of our POTUS to protect us and Defense Spending should not take a hit period.

[Cheerio]

CRs should be made illegal. When was the last line by line appropriations bill signed?

How the federal budget is supposed to work and why it rarely does

By the end of spring, the real work on the budget begins. In the House and Senate appropriations committees, lawmakers begin poring over the 12 bills that make up the whole of the federal budget:

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies;
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies;
Defense;
Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies;
Financial Services and General Government;
Homeland Security;
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies;
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies;
Legislative Branch;
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies;
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

Each bill has its own subcommittee, whose job it is to pass their appointed appropriations bill, sending it to the full committee and eventually onto the floor for a full vote. These bills are supposed to conform to the overall spending framework already set in the budget resolution.

BUT only 28% is even to be debated!!!! The rest is on autopilot!

[TheConservativeTejano]

Partner, is this why we are hearing rumors that Paul Ryno is going to retire early as the Speaker.

The Speaker has to come up with a budget and he never has and this why we are always in a perpetual CR that never ends.

Actually, we never have had a good Speaker since Newt Gingrich. Lets see we have had the Closet Homo Hasterrt, Nancy Pelousy, the drunkard John Boehner, and now Paul Ryno.

The next Speaker of the House should be able to get a budget from Congress. Make those folks work to whatever it takes to get a Budget. This is in the Constitution of the United States of America. Our Founding Fathers knew that it was going to be hard work which is something these guys in the House have seldom seen hard work before.

Thanks for the information on the CR but it still amazes me that we can not come up with a budget.