Page 2 - ARUBA TODAY

A2 UP FRONT
Wednesday 31 January 2018

Budget talks bogged down by immigration, deficit concerns

By ANDREW TAYLOR cidents happening more
Associated Press and more these days.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — A It’s unclear exactly what
week after a standoff would happen if nego-
forced a three-day govern- tiations fall apart, but one
ment shutdown, congres- possibility would be con-
sional budget talks remain tinuing current spending
bogged down by Demo- levels. That would upset
crats’ demands to protect the Pentagon’s many al-
“Dreamer” immigrants and lies on the Republican side.
GOP conservatives’ con- It would also upset Capitol
cerns about a booming Hill’s once-dominant Ap-
federal deficit. propriations committees,
The deadlock is deflat- which have watched in
ing hopes that lawmakers frustration over the past
will reach a breakthrough few years as Congress has
before another shutdown increasingly struggled to
deadline next week. perform its most basic task
At risk are up to $80 billion in of funding the government.
increases for the Pentagon Operating at a budget
this year alone, and nearly freeze, the Pentagon says,
as much money for domes- would imperil training and
tic programs. Almost $100 other components of mili-
billion worth of overdue Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., confers with Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., tary readiness, along with
assistance for hurricane- right, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. acquisition of new weap-
slammed Puerto Rico, Tex- Associated Press ons systems and equip-
as and Florida is being held spending “caps” in Cap- conservatives,” said Rep. face difficult re-election ment. On the domestic
up. The knot involves about itol-speak. But talks have Mark Meadows, R-N.C., bids in states won by Trump. side, it would mean arrest-
$1.2 billion in agency oper- proceeded slowly and are chairman of the hard-right Republicans are trying to ing the growth in medical
ating budgets for the fiscal now awaiting agreement House Freedom Caucus. cast Democrats as holding research and efforts to fight
year that began in Octo- on legislation to address The House Tuesday instead money for U.S. troops hos- opioid abuse, among other
ber, along with hurricane younger immigrants cur- passed — for the third time tage to obtain sympathet- bipartisan priorities. It would
relief, President Donald rently protected from de- — a $659 billion Pentagon ic treatment for immigrants also mean Washington’s
Trump’s $18 billion-plus bor- portation under the soon- funding measure. The bill facing deportation, as well dysfunction could become
der wall, and other odds to-expire Deferred Action would break the existing as a variety of other Demo- even more entrenched.
and ends. The measure has for Childhood Arrivals pro- budget cap for defense cratic priorities. “It’s really important that
been hung up for months gram, or DACA. by $73 billion — almost “Senate Democrats are something happen be-
as lawmakers in both par- But there are other prob- $20 billion more than the playing politics with de- cause the more times that
ties struggle first with a deal lems afoot. Conservatives budget Trump proposed fense spending that is so you don’t find a way to get
to increase tight limits on say Republican and Demo- last year. The 250-166 vote vital to our national se- together the more difficult
spending that are left over cratic proposals on the ta- House vote broke mostly curity needs,” said House it is the next time around to
from a failed 2011 budget ble would balloon the defi- along party lines. The move Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. get together,” said former
agreement. It takes both cit, sending it over $1 trillion was aimed at turning up “We just don’t see this as ir- Appropriations Committee
Republicans and Demo- by next year. the heat on Senate Dem- responsible. It’s dangerous. Chairman David Obey, D-
crats to lift the limits, called “That’s a non-starter for ocrats, several of whom You do have training ac- Wis.q

RNC set to select Todd

Ricketts as next finance chair

the weekend over sexual ing the 2016 Republican that she finds the allega-
misconduct allegations. primaries before becom- tions against the Las Vegas
Three Republican sources ing one of Trump’s largest billionaire “deeply trou-
with knowledge of the supporters. bling.” She said an investi-
decision confirmed Rick- Ricketts was nominated by gation will be conducted,
etts’ expected elevation, Trump to be deputy sec- and if Wynn’s found guilty
which needs the bless- retary of commerce, but of wrongdoing “we will ab-
ing of the 168-member withdrew from consider- solutely return 100 percent
committee at its winter ation for the post last year of that money. But we’re
meeting in Washington over difficulties complying going to let due process
In this Nov. 19, 2016, file photo, then-President-elect Donald this week. They were not with financial divestiture take place.”
Trump shakes hands with Todd Ricketts at Trump’s National authorized to discuss the rules. Wynn has denied the al-
Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J. move publicly before it RNC chair Ronna Rom- legations, first reported by
Associated Press was announced. ney McDaniel said earlier The Wall Street Journal.
Ricketts’ selection has the Tuesday that the party will Some Republicans in
By TOM BEAUMONT and mittee is set to select bil- blessing of President Don- return contributions from Congress have already
ZEKE MILLER lionaire Todd Ricketts as its ald Trump, the sources Wynn only if he’s found announced they are do-
Associated Press next finance chair, replac- said. Ricketts, an owner of guilty of sexual miscon- nating contributions they
WASHINGTON (AP) — The ing casino magnate Steve the Chicago Cubs, funded duct allegations. received from Wynn to
Republican National Com- Wynn, who resigned over anti-Trump spending dur- She told Fox News Channel charity.q