Congress returns to work this week with Democrats and Republicans promising to work together to avert a partial government shutdown and pass a handful of other bills, though President Donald Trump’s demand to fund his border wall could blow up their plans.
Eyeing a combative 2019 -- when Democrats take control of the House and an expanded GOP majority rules the Senate -- lawmakers are looking to pass the last needed spending bills, as well as major farm legislation, an extension of expiring tax credits and a short list of other items.
Congress returns to Washington Tuesday for a post-election lame duck session.
Yet Trump hasn’t dropped his demand to fund a wall at the Mexican border, fuel for a potential third government shutdown since he took office.
Trump slightly toned down his rhetoric on the wall at a news conference the day after last week’s congressional elections. When asked if he would insist on wall funding in exchange for signing legislation to finance several key government agencies, he told reporters “not necessarily.” But he wouldn’t take a shutdown off the table.
“We need the wall,” he said. “Many Democrats know we need the wall. And we’re just going to have to see what happens. I mean, I will be fighting for it.”
Russia Sanctions
The matter is probably the most contentious item among priorities during the final weeks that the Republicans will control both chambers. Other weighty issues, including proposed sanctions on Russia and an overhaul of federal sentencing guidelines, may get pushed into next year. And House conservatives who pine for a last round of tax cuts before Democrats take over the chamber concede there isn’t much appetite in the Senate.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wasn’t spoiling for any fights. He said his top agenda items for the lame duck session are the spending bills, farm subsidy legislation and confirming more federal judges.
He underscored that Trump’s goals for a border wall must attract some Democratic votes in the Senate, which is controlled 51-49 by the GOP. It will take 60 votes to advance the year-end spending bills.
“We’ll certainly try to help achieve what he’d like to do with the wall and border security,” McConnell said. “That will obviously have to be done on a bipartisan basis.”