Clock Ticking On GOP To Pass Literally Anything As Midterms Loom
Republicans are running out of time to pass President Donald Trump’s agenda and tackle the affordability crisis as the midterm elections inch closer.
With the midterms looming, Republicans have struggled to pass several policy agendas, including funding immigration enforcement, addressing affordability and adding voter identification requirements. Republicans are on a time crunch to address the hot-button issues for voters, including the economy and immigration, before they cast their ballots in November.
The Senate has 53 days in session before November, while the House has about 40.
A second reconciliation package aimed at funding immigration enforcement will not reach Trump’s desk by his June 1 deadline, leaving Senate Republicans scrambling to pass the package once they return from Memorial Day recess. Republicans are uncertain on how to handle the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion fund that would pay people alleging the justice system was “weaponized” against them, as many senators intended to use the package to restrict the fund.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said his colleagues wanted to place conditions on who could receive the fund payments, adding that he did not see a need for this fund. Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy claimed the fund would allow Trump to hand payments to people without any “legal precedent or accountability,” while Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said the fund would “compensate people who assaulted Capitol Police officers.” (Read more from “Clock Ticking On GOP To Pass Literally Anything As Midterms Loom” HERE)
