House and Senate negotiators reportedly have reached a tentative $1.3 trillion federal spending deal, ending the threat of more continuing resolutions or even government shutdowns after the current deal runs out next week.
The Washington Post reported that top congressional negotiators reached a deal in principle on Thursday on a fiscal 2020 appropriations bill for all departments.
Around this time last year, Congress had passed some of the appropriations bills — including for the Department of Defense — but not others, leaving some agencies unfunded and ultimately resulting in a partial government shutdown that lasted deep into January. The Department of Homeland Security was one of those agencies, resulting in hardships for Coast Guardsmen and their families.
With the ongoing impeachment situation and strong disagreements over funding the wall along the southern border with Mexico, many experts were concerned that an appropriations deal would not be reached for 2020, saddling the government with a full-year continuing resolution that would have capped spending at prior-year levels and blocked new starts.
While Congress may have reached an agreement, it still needs the president’s support. Last year, President Trump blocked a tentative agreement, leading to the 35-day partial shutdown.
As part of the compromise, the Post reports that spending on the wall would remain unchanged from 2019 at $1.375 billion. However, the White House would be able to transfer funds from other accounts.
