Senate Leaders Republican Mitch McConnell and Democrat Chuck Schumer have reached a deal on the budget that will keep the government funded for two years and avert a government shutdown. The deal is expected to be announced as early as today.
The agreement would increase domestic spending by $63 billion and military spending by $80 billion for the next two years. It would also extend disaster relief, fund community health centers and opioid treatment, all Democratic demands.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi complicated matters though by indicating that the bill, as constituted, does not have her support. The deal would not include a solution on the immigration program known as DACA, something Pelosi said is a requirement for her support.
“The budget caps agreement includes many Democratic priorities,” a statement from Pelosi read. “This morning, we took a measure of our Caucus because the package does nothing to advance bipartisan legislation to protect Dreamers in the House. Without a commitment from Speaker Ryan comparable to the commitment from Leader McConnell, this package does not have my support.”
Pelosi is not the only House leader that expressed dissatisfaction with the deal however. Republican Congressman Mark Meadows, Chairman of the influential House Freedom Caucus also indicated his dismay at the deal.
“There’s negotiations going on even at this hour right now on the spending, and I’m afraid that the deal that they’re going to announce, Chuck Schumer will be very happy about that, the Freedom Caucus members won’t,” Meadows said during an interview this morning.