With just a little over three days left until the government funding deadline, negotiators are still at an impasse over a spending deal. Aides involved in the talks have revealed that a major point of contention is the inclusion of aid for farmers in the end-of-year spending bill.
Republicans are pushing for additional funds to support farmers, while Democrats are making demands in exchange for their approval. This issue has caused delays in finalizing the spending deal, with negotiators working tirelessly over the weekend to find a resolution.
Despite initial signals from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican Leader Steve Scalise that a text would be released last night, the sticking points persist. A Democratic aide has also mentioned that there are other unresolved issues complicating the negotiations.
It's important to note that the aid for farmers being debated is separate from the disaster aid package, which is expected to be included in the bill and is nearing a total of nearly $100 billion.
Conservatives are becoming increasingly anxious as the deadline approaches and the spending package has yet to be finalized. Lawmakers are scheduled to leave town in less than 72 hours, adding pressure to reach an agreement swiftly.
There are concerns among conservatives about the potential fallout if a deal is not reached, with some indicating a lack of support for Speaker Johnson in the upcoming speaker's race in January.
The delay in resolving the funding issue could have implications for President-elect Donald Trump's agenda. Postponing the decision to next year would give Trump more influence but could lead to a tumultuous battle in Congress at the start of his second term, potentially derailing other legislative priorities.
If Republicans opt to delay the spending package, it could impact critical floor time needed for confirming Trump's nominees and hinder plans for passing significant tax and economic reforms.
