House passes $1.1 trillion spending bill that funds government through September
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill to keep the government funded through September.
The lower chamber voted 309-118 to approve the measure.
The omnibus appropriations bill allocates $1.5 billion for border security but does not include funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, as the Trump administration has decided for the time being to hold off on that request.
The legislation also does not include language coinciding with President Donald Trump’s promises to eliminate funding for sanctuary cities and Planned Parenthood. Nor does the legislation authorize the elimination of Obamacare Cost Sharing Reduction Subsidies.
Nevertheless, Republicans have expressed enthusiasm over the inclusion of $25 billion in increased defense appropriations, additional border security funding and language authorizing the expansion of charter schools.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Tuesday said the negotiated spending bill represents a victory both for the Trump administration and GOP lawmakers. Ryan also suggested that the president’s request for border wall funding could be revisited this summer when Congress considers the Trump administration’s FY 2018 budget.
Other provisions in the spending bill include funds to replenish health care benefits for certain miners and their families, combat opioid addiction and make infrastructure improvements.
The Senate is expected to both consider and approve the legislation by Friday.
Current appropriations expire at midnight on Friday.
The House this week may vote on a revised Obamacare repeal and replacement bill pursuant to progress in lieu of a proposed amendment that would allocate $8 billion over five years to help maintain health coverage for persons with pre-existing conditions.
The original bill was defeated in March and since that time House GOP leaders in conjunction with the White House have tried to broker a compromise between moderate and conservative members of the party.
The lower chamber adjourns for a one-week recess at the close of business on Thursday.
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News
Bryan is an award-winning political journalist who has extensive experience covering Congress and Maryland state government.
His work includes coverage of the election of Donald Trump, the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and attorneys general William Barr and Jeff Sessions-as well as that of the Maryland General Assembly, Gov. Larry Hogan, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bryan has broken stories involving athletic and sexual assault scandals with the Baltimore Post-Examiner.
His original UMBC investigation gained international attention, was featured in People Magazine and he was interviewed by ABC’s “Good Morning America” and local radio stations. Bryan broke subsequent stories documenting UMBC’s omission of a sexual assault on their daily crime log and a federal investigation related to the university’s handling of an alleged sexual assault.