Congress sends bill to Trump to avert government shutdown

Congress has approved a bill keeping the government open through Dec. 7, as lawmakers move to avert a government shutdown looming next week. Trump's signature would avert a partial government shutdown set to begin Monday, weeks ahead of the Nov. 6 elections that will determine control of Congress.

Trump plan to cut $15B in spending squeaks through House

The House on Thursday only narrowly passed a White House plan to cut almost $15 billion in unused government money, a closer-than-expected tally on legislation that's designed to demonstrate fiscal discipline in Washington even though it wouldn't have much of an impact on spiraling deficits. The measure, which passed 210-206, would take a mostly symbolic whack at government spending because it would basically eliminate leftover funding that wouldn't have been spent anyway.

Op-Ed Columnist: Who’s the Worst for the Holidays?

The other day Scott Pruitt, the E.P.A. chief and well-known candidate for Worst Person in Washington, tossed some reporters out of a public conference on water contamination. Pruitt has been in a long-running battle with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for the title of most terrible Trump minion.

Trump advocates government shutdown as Congress faces another spending deadline

Congress is risking another federal government shutdown as House Republicans on Tuesday approved a temporary bill loaded with extra military spending that will almost certainly face a filibuster from Democrats - and some Republicans - in the Senate. Neither party appears to want a repeat of last month's three-day shutdown, but President Donald Trump seemed game for closing the government again if he could blame it on Democrats.

White House requests $44 billion in additional disaster relief

The White House asked Congress on Friday for $44 billion in additional relief from this year's devastating hurricanes but urged lawmakers to make spending cuts to offset disaster costs that are now approaching $100 billion. The White House request for more disaster relief after the hurricanes, Harvey, Irma and Maria, set up a possible confrontation over whether Congress must find spending cuts to pay for relief even as President Donald Trump pushes for as much as $1.5 trillion in tax cuts over a decade.

Feds pay NYPD $26m for guarding Trump Tower

Feds pay their Trump card! New York taxpayers reimbursed $26 million for guarding the Donald's Fifth Avenue tower between election and inauguration day New York state is getting nearly $26 million in federal funds to reimburse law enforcement agencies for costs associated with guarding President Donald Trump , his family and their Manhattan residence. Congresswoman Nita Lowey announced the grants Wednesday.

Trump, Republicans face tricky task of averting U.S. government shutdown

President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans who control Congress face their first major budget test next week, with the threat of a U.S. government shutdown potentially hinging on his proposed Mexican border wall as well as Obamacare funding. With Republicans controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, keeping the federal government operating is a basic test of their ability to govern, but their task could become even more complicated if they insist on using the spending legislation to bring about contentious policy changes.

Dems press Trump to restore family planning funding

Scores of House Democrats are pressing the Trump administration to reinstate funding for an international program dedicated to family planning and women's reproductive health. The State Department earlier this month announced it would pull all U.S. funding for the United Nations Population Fund , citing concerns that the money would subsidize coercive abortion services overseas, particularly in China.

White House limits what officials can say about budget

The White House is instructing Cabinet heads and agency officials not to elaborate on President Trump's proposed budget cuts beyond what was in a relatively brief submission, a move Democrats decried as a gag order. Budget director Mick Mulvaney wrote in a memo late last week that until the full budget release in May, ''all public comments of any sort should be limited to the information contained in the Budget Blueprint chapter for your agency,'' referring to the 53-page document released last Thursday.

White House issues gag order to officials on budget details

The White House is instructing Cabinet heads and agency officials not to elaborate on President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts beyond what was in a relatively brief submission, a move Democrats decried as a gag order. Budget Director Mick Mulvaney wrote in a memo late last week that until the full budget release in May, "all public comments of any sort should be limited to the information contained in the Budget Blueprint chapter for your agency," referring to the 53-page document released last Thursday.

The Latest: Senator predicts smooth path for VA nominee

The chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is predicting a smooth path to confirmation for David Shulkin, President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sen. Johnny Isakson met with Shulkin on Tuesday.

Warning to Congress: Zika money running out

The Obama administration warned Congress Wednesday that money to fight the Zika virus is on the verge of running out amid political stalemate on Capitol Hill. In a letter to key lawmakers, the secretary of Health and Human Services said the National Institutes of Health would exhaust its resources for vaccine development by month's end.