White House Considers FY18 Appropriations Cuts

The White House is still considering cutting funds from the recently negotiated and enacted FY2018 omnibus appropriations bill despite warnings from several Democrats and Republicans in Congress that it could “poison the well” for future negotiations. Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney is taking the lead on developing a rollback proposal that could cut anywhere from $30B – $60B. The White House expects to submit its proposal to Congress sometime around May 1. The House could take up the measure, but it isn’t clear if they would have the votes for passage. What is clear though is that it wouldn’t stand a chance of passage in the Senate.

Republican leaders in Congress instead are considering drafting a spending cuts package that would avoid the FY18 omnibus, which could help them win broader support. Leadership is looking for unexpended balances to include in the package that would not affect funding included in the FY18 omnibus. President Trump may not be satisfied with this approach though.

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