Both Vice President Mike Pence and Press Secretary Sean Spicer focused their attention on the $21 billion increase in defense spending, about two-thirds of what President Donald Trump originally wanted.
Budget director Mick Mulvaney emphasized the bipartisan nature of the budget agreement, noting he was pleased that Democrats like the outcome and that the White House got “a really good deal” as well.
Pence cited the budget as proof that a bipartisan approach can happen in Washington and that “Washington is working again” because of the leadership of President Trump.
Democrats and media critics put a spotlight on the failure to include funding for the border wall and successful insertion of language blocking any construction of such a barrier. Mulvaney noted that additional resources would be devoted to border security, nonetheless.
He said the White House agreed not to ‘push for bricks and mortar for the wall’ but instead to focus on fixing existing fencing and installing new lights and sensors on the border.”
Both Mulvaney and Spicer indicated the administration will try once again in the fall to get funding for the wall in the 2018 budget President Trump will present.
Democrats also crowed about ensuring there would be no restrictions on funding for “sanctuary” cities or cuts in funding for Planned Parenthood. In addition, funding remains in the continuing budget for Obamacare subsidies.
A new agreement to keep the government funded and running will be needed again by September 30. Because of the 60-vote hurdle for approval that remains in the U.S. Senate, it appears the Trump administration will continue to have difficulty in getting the support needed from all GOP factions and some Democrats to achieve all its priorities.
Media coverage generally roasted the GOP leadership as having been “rolled” by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. One factor overlooked by both the politicians and media pundits is that even with the increased spending provided in the short-term budget, the Trump administration can control the pace of spending or elect to hold funds back in areas where program priorities change.
Congress does appropriate the money, but the Executive branch controls the rate of spending and has leeway in how funds can be shifted from one program budget to another.
Source: The Washington Post
Surely wish we didn’t need a trillion dollars to run the country for a few months.
Yeah but they forgot to read the fine print when ahead and approve the money to pay for trumps wall ha ha Ha you dumb motherfuckers
Elections aren’t for another 18 months
Bummer I was hoping, but thanks you are right I had the vote for 2017. That’s alright alot can be exposed in that time still need every one’s voices!!!
While all these Politicians are busy one upping each other…..notice NONE give a good c**p about ANY AMERICAN…or for that matter, any illegals or refugee….trying to LIVE DECENTLY in this country? These corrupted con men and women take OUR MONEY as salary, perks, top dollar healthcare…..then sell out EVERYBODY, while taking their Marching Orders and hundreds of Millions of illegal dollars from Special interest groups, inside and outside US!!
This time this head Pharisee is right.
Scumbag
Not true
This has to stop or Trump can kiss a 2nd term good bye.