Government Funding Deal: Key Updates from Lawmakers

Government Funding Updates

Top Republicans are signaling progress in government funding talks as leaders look to clinch a deal ahead of a looming Friday deadline. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) stated that the differences are narrowing between all sides as they seek to finalize the last significant funding deal in the divided Congress.

Key Issues in Negotiations

Cole emphasized that both institutional and partisan differences remain, but expressed optimism about the negotiations. The spotlight is currently on economic assistance for farmers, which emerged as a key sticking point in the funding talks.

• Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) vows to oppose larger stopgap funding without aid for farmers.
• Lawmakers propose over $10 billion in assistance, facing partisan divides on the structure of aid.
• Concerns about the costs of ad hoc emergency spending have been raised by House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas).

The continuing resolution (CR) is also set to include funding for disaster aid related to recent hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida. As Congress approaches the end of its session, various proposals are being negotiated to attach to this must-pass legislation.

The Last Legislative Push

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) is working to tie up remaining items in the CR, which is crucial for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) before the upcoming Speakership vote. Johnson's handling of end-of-year funding will significantly impact his support within the party.

With a slim majority in the House, Johnson may require Democratic backing to pass the CR, especially with hardline conservatives already expressing disapproval of additional measures like pharmacy benefit manager reforms.

For further updates on the evolving situation, please stay tuned for more details.