US Policy
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- US Policy
DC Shutdown Watch
The House today (Friday) voted 286 Yes to 134 No to pass the so-called minibus legislation funding the government through October 1, 2024 -- the end of the current fiscal year. The bill was considered under a parliamentary process in the House referred to as “suspension of the rules” that...
- US Policy
Fed decision and shutdown deadline this week in DC
This Tuesday and Wednesday the Fed’s Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) meets to determine interest rate policy. Chair Powell and most of the “Fed speak” has indicated that there will be no changes in rates at the March meeting. At the end of the meeting at 2:00pm on Wednesday the...
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Busy Week Ahead in DC
It was a shortened week in Congress as House Republicans left early for a retreat at the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. But the House Republicans did get another piece of bad news this week when Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, a longtime member, announced that he would leave Congress...
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One shutdown deadline avoided, one more to come
Last Friday the Senate passed a so-called minibus (versus an omnibus) that had spending for eight government departments. Unlike the past few bills that were short-term Continuing Resolutions (CRs), last week’s bill funded eight departments and lasts through the current fiscal year that runs to October 1. The eight budgets...
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Can Midnight Shutdown Be Avoided?
As I write this note, the Senate still hasn’t come up with a plan to pass the so-called “mini-bus” bill. The bill funds the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Housing, Interior, Justice, Transportation and Veterans Affairs for the remainder of the current fiscal year, which runs until October 1. The...
- US Policy
Big week in DC: Powell testifies, Super Tuesday, State of the Union (SOTU), Shutdown
IT WILL BE A BUSY WEEK IN POLITICS AND MANY HEADLINES COMING OUT OF DC. Tuesday is the biggest day on the Presidential primary calendar – Super Tuesday. Voters in 15 states will cast their votes in Republican Presidential primaries. Nearly a third of all delegates will be chosen with...
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Government Shutdown Postponed
Congress returned to DC this week after a two-week recess for Presidents' Day, facing a government shutdown scheduled to start at midnight on Friday. President Biden summoned the bipartisan leadership to the White House on Tuesday, and by Thursday the House and Senate were able to pass an extension of...
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Shutdown threat Saturday, Trump win in SC
The news in DC this week will be the struggle among House Republicans to see if they can develop a plan to avoid a partial government shutdown on Saturday. Additionally, events on the battlefield in Ukraine have focused attention on the House to act on the Senate passed bipartisan Military...
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Congress Faces Shutdown, SC Primary
South Carolina has a Saturday primary, and this weekend former President Trump and former Governor Nikki Haley face off in what polls show will be a blowout victory for Trump. Obviously, a Trump victory in Governor Haley’s home state would be a big blow to her primary challenge. From my days...
- US Policy
Congress takes break and Fed releases minutes
While Congress may be in recess this week Washington should generate news on Wednesday when the Fed releases the minutes from the January FOMC meeting. The minutes take three weeks to get approval from all participants and as I have often said they serve as a fact check on the...