Senate back in session with lots to do: avoid shutdown, defense authorization, stimulus?

[essentialsaltes]

the Senate returns to Washington on Monday with millions of Americans counting on Congress to also come to an agreement on a stimulus package.

That's unlikely -- at this point -- to happen.

The list of must-do's are long right now on Capitol Hill and this is the final stretch in the lame duck session. Aides on both the Republican and Democratic sides are confident that Congress can pass a spending deal by the December 11 deadline to avert a partial government shutdown, but a stimulus deal is far less certain. And at best, aides argue that all Congress might be able to do is add some stimulus provisions to the already-moving spending bill.

Also, on the agenda? Congress has to finish the National Defense Authorization Act, a massive, bipartisan bill that sets defense policy for the country. It's currently in limbo because of President Donald Trump's opposition to a provision that would allow the eventual renaming of military bases named after Confederate leaders. Trump has threatened to veto

 

[Albion]

The list of must-do's are long right now on Capitol Hill and this is the final stretch in the lame duck session...Congress has to finish the National Defense Authorization Act, a massive, bipartisan bill that sets defense policy for the country.

It's currently in limbo because of President Donald Trump's opposition to a provision that would allow the eventual renaming of military bases named after Confederate leaders. Trump has threatened to veto

If the National Defense Authorization Act is this important, what's the excuse for holding it hostage to somebody's demand that it also include such an essential national defense priority as the renaming of military bases?

Never mind. It's a rhetorical question. We know that the hold-up is ridiculous.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Never mind. It's a rhetorical question. We know that the hold-up is ridiculous.

Exactly. What's in a name? A Fort Bragg by any other name would smell as sweet.

 

[essentialsaltes]

If the National Defense Authorization Act is this important, what's the excuse for holding it hostage to somebody's demand that it also

repeal section 230 for tech firms?

President Trump on Tuesday threatened to veto an annual defense bill authorizing nearly $1 trillion in military spending unless Congress opens the door for Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to be held legally liable for the way they police their platforms.

Trump delivered his ultimatum — calling for the repeal of a federal law known as Section 230 — in a pair of late-night tweets that transformed a critical national security debate into a political war over his unproved allegations that Silicon Valley’s technology giants exhibit systemic bias against conservatives.

At least the military bases are military bases. Trump's petulant demand is unrelated to defense.

 

[Pommer]

repeal section 230 for tech firms?

President Trump on Tuesday threatened to veto an annual defense bill authorizing nearly $1 trillion in military spending unless Congress opens the door for Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to be held legally liable for the way they police their platforms.

Trump delivered his ultimatum — calling for the repeal of a federal law known as Section 230 — in a pair of late-night tweets that transformed a critical national security debate into a political war over his unproved allegations that Silicon Valley’s technology giants exhibit systemic bias against conservatives.

At least the military bases are military bases. Trump's petulant demand is unrelated to defense.

This might end up being his Waterloo?
A veto-override on a “must-pass” bill would do it.

 

[essentialsaltes]

The Senate on Friday passed a one-week stopgap funding bill by voice vote to avert a government shutdown at midnight. The bill will next go to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The short-term spending bill would extend government funding by a week to December 18 and is aimed at giving lawmakers more time to reach an agreement on Covid relief and broader funding legislation for a new fiscal year. It passed the House earlier this week.

So far, however, stimulus talks remain at an impasse over critical sticking points, creating uncertainty over whether an agreement can be reached.

 

[essentialsaltes]

The U.S. Senate on Friday threw its weight behind the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a $740 billion bill setting policy for the Department of Defense, passing the bill with a margin large enough to overcome President Donald Trump’s promised veto.

 

[essentialsaltes]

The Senate on Friday passed a one-week stopgap funding bill by voice vote to avert a government shutdown at midnight. The bill will next go to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Hey, it's a week later. Time for another stop-gap, we hope. Still a few hours left.

Threat of another government shutdown hangs over Washington as Covid relief talks drag on

 

[essentialsaltes]

Congress swiftly passed a two-day stopgap spending bill Friday night, averting a partial government shutdown and buying time for frustratingly slow endgame negotiations on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package.

Ron Johnson torpedoed a voice vote on another stimulus check. Grinch or fiscal responsibility? You make the call.

 

[Yttrium]

Ron Johnson torpedoed a voice vote on another stimulus check. Grinch or fiscal responsibility? You make the call.

Considering all his other recent activity, I'm leaning towards supervillain.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Considering all his other recent activity, I'm leaning towards supervillain.

Makes sense, The Republican Party is starting to resemble The Legion of Doom from 1970s cartoons.

 

[cow451]

Ron Johnson torpedoed a voice vote on another stimulus check. Grinch or fiscal responsibility? You make the call.

Jim Carrey.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Congressional leaders announced Sunday night that they have secured a deal for a sweeping $900 billion rescue package to deliver much-needed relief for small businesses, unemployed Americans and health care workers while bolstering vaccine distribution.

After days of tense negotiations and months of partisan stalemate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Sunday evening that leadership from both chambers had "finalized an agreement," saying, "It is packed with targeted policies that help struggling Americans who have already waited entirely too long."

The full details of what will be in the package have yet to be released, and lawmakers must now race to pass another stop-gap measure to avert a government shutdown ahead of a midnight deadline and buy additional time to hold votes on the pandemic relief deal. However, the package is expected to include $600 direct stimulus payment for Americans under a certain income level, among many other programs aimed at helping the economic fallout of the pandemic.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Congressional leaders announced Sunday night that they have secured a deal for a sweeping $900 billion rescue package to deliver much-needed relief for small businesses, unemployed Americans and health care workers while bolstering vaccine distribution.

Whooops, not so fast there!

US President Trump has urged Congress to amend a $900bn (£670bn) coronavirus relief bill to more than triple its stimulus payments to Americans.

In a video message posted on Twitter, he said the package "really is a disgrace", full of "wasteful" items.

"It's called the Covid relief bill, but it has almost nothing to do with Covid," he said.

The $900bn bill includes one-off $600 payments to most Americans, but Mr Trump said the figure should be $2,000.

His statement stunned Capitol Hill. Republicans and Democrats have been negotiating a coronavirus stimulus rescue package since July and Mr Trump - who has largely stayed out of the talks - had been expected to sign the legislation into law following its passage through Congress on Monday night.

The most powerful congressional Democrat, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, usually a fierce antagonist of the president, said she agreed with Mr Trump's call for $2,000 one-off stimulus payments for every American.

"Let's do it!" she tweeted, pledging that her party would bring the proposal to the floor this week.

Such a plan would need to be passed by the Republican-controlled Senate, where it may well face resistance.

Let's see if Mitch will also do what the President Trump wants.

 

[essentialsaltes]

The U.S. Senate on Friday threw its weight behind the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a $740 billion bill setting policy for the Department of Defense, passing the bill with a margin large enough to overcome President Donald Trump’s promised veto.

Trump has vetoed it.

Trump vetoes massive defense bill despite overwhelming GOP support

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the sweeping defense bill that both chambers of Congress recently passed by veto-proof majorities, setting up a possible veto override that would pit members of his own party against him.

It's unclear if Republicans will again defy the President and vote to override his veto.

 

[Desk trauma]

Trump has vetoed it.

Trump vetoes massive defense bill despite overwhelming GOP support

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the sweeping defense bill that both chambers of Congress recently passed by veto-proof majorities, setting up a possible veto override that would pit members of his own party against him.

It's unclear if Republicans will again defy the President and vote to override his veto.

Just when I noticed I was out of popcorn. Drat.

 

[super animator]

It's unclear if Republicans will again defy the President and vote to override his veto.

Probability not.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Whooops, not so fast there!

US President Trump has urged Congress to amend a $900bn (£670bn) coronavirus relief bill to more than triple its stimulus payments to Americans.

In a video message posted on Twitter, he said the package "really is a disgrace", full of "wasteful" items

He signed this disgraceful bill full of many wasteful items his own administration asked for.

 

[grasping the after wind]

He signed this disgraceful bill full of many wasteful items his own administration asked for.

Worst decision yet of his entire Presidency.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

Worst decision yet of his entire Presidency.

I guess running for president was technically before his time in office.