A look at the week ahead in Congress.
Congressional insiders say Speaker Paul Ryan is unlikely to bring back the Trump-backed plan for a government shutdown. The White House wants to pass a short funding extension that would allow for full-year budget talks and a possible deal on expiring health insurance subsidies, while appropriators want to punt until after Jan. 31, our Jordain Carney reports.
Senate Democrats are rethinking their support for an annual defense policy bill that has been mired in bitter partisan fights. Connor O’Brien reports that Republicans are making it harder for the Democrat-led Armed Services Committee to offer amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act. Rules Republicans, on a party-line vote, cleared the way for 298 individual amendments to be debated this week, but granted Democrats zero individually. Armed Services ranking member Adam Smith says he will oppose final passage of the bill if Republicans keep their current rules.
In the House, a discharge petition backing Massie-Khanna legislation is on track to succeed. It has 216 signatures and needs just two more — expected to arrive this month in the form of a Democrat winning a special election in Virginia and an additional safe blue seat that will be replaced after Sept. 23.
The Consumer Technology Association has added Samuel Negatu as a director of government affairs. He previously worked as a legislative assistant for Rep. Jimmy Gomez. Giffords campaign alums Christyna Thompson and Hasan Pyarali have joined Sen. Kamala Harris’ team as state and regional press secretaries, and a digital engagement manager, respectively.