A House-Senate conference committee convenes its first meeting Wednesday to negotiate a spending agreement to keep the government open past Feb. 15.
Immigration is the most contentious issue – with President Donald Trump insisting on funding for a southern border wall – but other issues have surfaced, too.
Democrats bristled at the suggestion by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) Tuesday that the package include a provision raising the debt limit; the federal government is on track to run of borrowing power this summer.
“Right now, my responsibility is dealing with Homeland Security, and I have not considered broadening the challenge,” House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said, according to CQ.
But her Senate counterpart, Republican Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said he is open to it.
“If we package something that we’re going to have to face anyway and get something done — especially if we get the shutdown syndrome out of the way — let’s do it,” he said, CQ reported.
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