Spending Input
The budget agreement will also gives House Democrats a chance to craft 12 annual spending bills with more Democratic input than the party has enjoyed since losing power after the 2010 elections -- albeit with the vague stipulation that they won’t try to put “poison pills” in the bills. Republicans sought assurances that the spending bills won’t expand government funding for abortion and won’t restrict how border security funds can be used.
Pelosi could face resistance from progressives who want to use the budget fight as leverage for assorted stalled liberal priorities, and from more moderate members wary of adding to the nation’s red ink.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pointedly declined credit for the deal by calling it an agreement between Pelosi and the White House in his statement. Nonetheless, he has a lot to like in the deal.
The Kentucky Republican’s flock includes a handful of senators facing tough re-election fights next year with Democrats needing to win four seats to take control of the chamber. The last thing he wants is another government shutdown or a debt limit debacle, and the agreement avoids that risk.
And should Trump lose in 2020, a Democratic president may need to come to McConnell hat-in-hand to cut a debt deal -- a prospect causing alarm from some Democratic Senate watchers Monday.
“Wait, Dems are going to clear the decks on government funding and debt ceiling for the remainder of Trump’s term, forfeiting all leverage, but set up a major crisis point for Republicans in the first summer of a potential Dem presidents’ term?” tweeted Adam Jentleson, former spokesman for Harry Reid. “This seems like a very bad idea.”
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.