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GOP squabbles while shutdown threat looms on January 14, 2024 at 11:00 am Business News | The Hill

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With days to go before a Friday government funding deadline, disputes among House Republicans over a top-line spending deal and opposing strategies about how to approach any stopgap bill are threatening to plunge Washington into a partial shutdown.

Such a prospect would mark a significant setback for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is juggling warring factions within his party as he aims to execute the first major legislative deal of his Speakership.

Efforts to fund the government saw a small sign of relief Friday when Johnson, after enduring days of sharp pushback from hard-line conservatives, said a top-line spending deal he struck with Democrats and the White House “remains” in place — a win for swing-district Republicans and appropriators who have urged Johnson to follow through with the bipartisan agreement.

But even as Johnson stuck by the deal, House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-Va.) insisted he believed Johnson was still “legitimately considering alternatives.”

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Congress, nonetheless, will first have to pass a stopgap bill by Friday to buy the body more time to complete the dozen spending bills, appropriators in both parties say. Questions about what form that legislation takes, and how long it lasts, have moved to the front of the disputes between hard-line conservatives and moderates.

Johnson had said in November that he would not support any more short-term stopgaps, and has not explicitly said if he supports a continuing resolution this time around. Asked about a potential stopgap last week, however, the Speaker said he had not ruled anything out.

It’s not only political storms complicating the path to averting a shutdown. Cross-country winter weather over the long weekend and into the week could shuffle travel plans for lawmakers trying to get back to Washington ahead of the funding deadline — a reality that could complicate any GOP-only undertakings in the razor-thin House majority.

As part of their push to get Johnson to renegotiate spending levels and secure conservative policy priorities, hard-liners are urging the Louisiana Republican to move ahead with a long-term continuing resolution — potentially through the rest of fiscal 2024 in September — which would trigger a 1 percent across-the-board cut, a mechanism included in the debt limit deal then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) struck with President Biden last year.

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The threat of that cut, long-term stopgap advocates argue, could give Republicans leverage to secure concessions — such as changes to border policy.

“That creates the incentive to actually do the work we’re supposed to do,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said earlier in the week.

But that patch faces roadblocks.

Johnson asked a group of moderate Republicans if they could support a full-year continuing resolution during a meeting in his office Friday morning, and nearly all lawmakers said no, according to one attendee. He then hinted at a continuing resolution that would last through February or March to buy more time to complete work on all 12 spending bills, the source added.

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Democrats, appropriators and GOP defense hawks are also balking at the prospect of a full-year continuing resolution.

“I think their fallback position is really this year-long CR, and no appropriator likes a CR,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a top appropriator, noting that a clean stopgap would mean no increase to military spending. “So there’s a lot of pushback, particularly in the House Armed Services [Committee] and with defense appropriators.”

Moderates and appropriators are pushing for a short-term continuing resolution just long enough to buy lawmakers more time to finish the appropriations process, believing it is important to keep up time pressure to quickly pass more funding measures.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), another top appropriator, said after leaving a meeting with Johnson that it would take at least 18 to 21 days for appropriations cardinals to finish their work and hash out policy riders in the funding bills

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Other ideas are in the mix, too. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said a stopgap should “just fund the basic components of our government” until new spending is approved. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) said another concept “being kicked around now” is a “cromnibus,” which would fund government by combining a continuing resolution and a longer-term regular funding omnibus.

The Senate, meanwhile, is not waiting for Johnson to navigate his fractious, slim majority. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) took the first step toward advancing a stopgap bill Thursday, filing cloture on a shell bill that will be the vehicle for a continuing resolution. The chamber is eyeing a vote Tuesday.

But it is unclear how Johnson will handle that move from the Senate amid all the intraparty disputes — and whether he will side with the hard-liners or the appropriators. 

With time ticking until the funding deadline, the Speaker has not even explicitly said he will support any kind of stopgap — though he has said that he does not want a shutdown.

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Under the two-step deadline structure pushed by Johnson to avoid a massive omnibus funding bill, money for the energy and water programs, military construction, and the departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development run out Jan. 19, and funding for the rest of the government expires Feb. 2.

Aside from deliberations over a stopgap bill, hard-line conservatives are demanding that border security be included in any government funding effort, pinning the politically prickly topic to the already convoluted shutdown showdown.

“We’re asking for border security to be a feature of the discussion over government funding, not just something that is resolved within some supplemental Christmas future,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), referring to the ongoing bipartisan negotiations in the Senate on border security to unlock aid for Ukraine. After months of talks, the negotiators have not unveiled a deal.

Some members of the right flank are going as far as to suggest they are willing to shut down the government if the border is not addressed in the funding fight. Asked if he was concerned about the government shutting down after the end of the week, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, responded “no.”

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“The government’s not doing its job anyway, so whether it’s open or closed, in my view, is largely irrelevant,” he said. “It’s not doing its job.”

Mike Lillis and Aris Folley contributed.

​House, Business, News With days to go before a Friday government funding deadline, disputes among House Republicans over a top-line spending deal and opposing strategies about how to approach any stopgap bill are threatening to plunge Washington into a partial shutdown. Such a prospect would mark a significant setback for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is juggling warring…  

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2 Comments

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    April 3, 2024 at 9:28 pm

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The Cities Bracing for Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

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In the wake of Donald Trump’s recent election victory and his promise of “the largest deportation operation in American history,” several major U.S. cities are bracing for potentially seismic shifts in their economic and social landscapes. As the nation grapples with the implications of this proposed policy, urban centers that have long been havens for immigrant communities find themselves at the epicenter of a looming storm.

Los Angeles, often dubbed the “City of Angels,” stands to lose more than its celestial nickname suggests. As a primary gateway for immigrants, the city’s vibrant tapestry of cultures and its economic engine could face significant disruption. From the bustling streets of Koreatown to the sun-drenched orchards of the Central Valley, the absence of undocumented workers could leave gaping holes in the city’s workforce and cultural identity.

Across the country, New York City, with its iconic skyline and melting pot reputation, faces its own reckoning. The Big Apple’s 5.9 million immigrants, many of whom are undocumented, form the backbone of industries ranging from construction to healthcare. The potential exodus could transform neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Flushing, altering the very essence of what makes New York a global city.In the Sunshine State, Miami’s tropical allure belies the turbulent times ahead. Home to 2.5 million immigrants, the city’s economy relies heavily on sectors like tourism and hospitality – industries where undocumented workers often fill crucial roles. The potential deportation of these workers could send shockwaves through Miami’s economic ecosystem, from South Beach’s glitzy hotels to the agricultural heartlands of South Florida.

Chicago, the “City of Big Shoulders,” may find those shoulders significantly weakened. With 1.7 million immigrants in its metropolitan area, the Windy City’s diverse neighborhoods and industries face an uncertain future. From the meatpacking plants to the tech startups, Chicago’s economic resilience could be tested like never before.

In the Lone Star State, Houston and Dallas stand as twin testaments to the complexities of immigration policy. These Texas titans, each home to large immigrant populations, could see their booming economies stumble. The construction sites that dot their ever-expanding skylines and the service industries that keep these cities humming could face unprecedented labor shortages.

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Out West, the San Francisco Bay Area’s reputation as a bastion of innovation and progress could be challenged. The region’s tech industry, often reliant on immigrant talent, might find itself grappling with a new reality. From Silicon Valley’s coding campuses to the agricultural expanses of the Central Valley, California’s economic powerhouse could face a reckoning. Phoenix, rising from the Sonoran Desert, could see its growth trajectory altered. As Arizona’s urban center, it stands at the forefront of the immigration debate, potentially facing not just economic impacts but social and political upheaval as well.

These cities, along with others like San Diego and Las Vegas, are not just facing potential economic disruptions. They are staring down the barrel of profound social change. Family separations, community fragmentation, and the erosion of cultural enclaves built over generations are all possible consequences of mass deportations. Moreover, the fiscal implications are staggering. Undocumented immigrants contribute billions in taxes annually, often without receiving the full benefits of their contributions. Their sudden absence could leave gaping holes in city budgets, potentially affecting public services and infrastructure projects.

As these urban centers brace for impact, the debate rages on. Supporters of stricter immigration policies argue for the need to enforce laws and protect American jobs. Critics warn of economic devastation and the unraveling of America’s urban fabric. What’s clear is that America’s cities stand at a crossroads. The coming months and years will likely reshape urban landscapes in ways both visible and invisible. From the foods we eat to the services we rely on, from the neighborhoods we call home to the very character of our cities, the impacts of this proposed immigration crackdown could be far-reaching and long-lasting. As the nation watches and waits, these cities – vibrant, diverse, and economically vital – find themselves on the front lines of a policy that could redefine what it means to be an American city in the 21st century.

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How Trump’s Deportation Plans Could Reshape Major Cities

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In the wake of Donald Trump’s recent election victory, his ambitious plans for mass deportations have thrust America’s urban centers into the spotlight. As the nation grapples with the potential implications of what Trump calls “the largest deportation operation in American history,” cities across the country are bracing for significant changes that could reshape their economic, social, and cultural landscapes.

The stakes are particularly high for metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and Miami, which host the largest populations of unauthorized immigrants. These cities, along with other major urban hubs such as Chicago, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, stand at the forefront of a looming transformation that could reverberate throughout the nation.

Economic Tremors

Economists warn that the proposed deportations could send shockwaves through urban economies. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s, cautions that businesses would face “significant challenges” if a substantial number of immigrants were removed. Industries such as construction, hospitality, and healthcare—pillars of urban economies—could face severe labor shortages.

Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, emphasizes the potential ripple effects: “The native-born workforce cannot meet current labor demands.” This labor gap could lead to increased wages, potentially rekindling inflation—a concern that looms large over city planners and policymakers alike.

Community Fabric Under Strain

Beyond economic considerations, the social fabric of cities hangs in the balance. Elena, a Nicaraguan immigrant in Houston, voices a fear echoed in immigrant communities across the nation: “I’m scared… This is my home.” The threat of family separations, particularly in mixed-status households, casts a long shadow over urban neighborhoods.

Immigrant advocacy groups like FIEL are mobilizing, advising clients to prepare for “anything that can happen.” This atmosphere of uncertainty could lead to decreased community engagement and cooperation with local authorities, potentially impacting public safety and community cohesion.

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Cities at a Crossroads

As the debate intensifies, cities find themselves at a crossroads. Some, like New York and Los Angeles, have historically positioned themselves as “sanctuary cities,” often at odds with federal immigration enforcement. The impending clash between federal policy and local governance promises to be a defining feature of this new political landscape.

Meanwhile, the logistical challenges of implementing such a massive deportation operation remain daunting. Questions abound regarding detention facilities, transportation networks, and the sheer manpower required to carry out Trump’s vision.

Looking Ahead

As America’s urban centers brace for potential change, the full impact of Trump’s deportation plans remains to be seen. Legal challenges are all but certain, and the resilience of America’s cities will be put to the test.

What is clear is that the coming months and years will be pivotal for urban America. As Jason Miller, a senior Trump adviser, puts it, the plan is to “immediately reinstate” immigration policies from Trump’s first term. For America’s cities, this could mean a period of unprecedented change, challenge, and, potentially, transformation.

As the nation watches and waits, the story of America’s cities in the face of this ambitious deportation plan is just beginning to unfold. The outcome will undoubtedly shape the future of urban life in America for years to come.

Bolanle Media is excited to announce our partnership with The Newbie Film Academy to offer comprehensive courses designed specifically for aspiring screenwriters. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your skills, our resources will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in the competitive world of screenwriting. Join us today to unlock your creative potential and take your first steps toward crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences. Let’s turn your ideas into impactful scripts together!

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Donald Trump Wins 2024 USA Election

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Based on the election results, Donald Trump has indeed won the 2024 U.S. presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Here’s an analysis of the key statistics and implications:

Electoral College Victory

Donald Trump has secured the presidency by winning crucial battleground states and flipping some key states that were previously held by Democrats. The final Electoral College tally is still being determined, but Trump has surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win.

Battleground State Performance

Trump’s victory was largely secured by winning several critical swing states:

  • Wisconsin: Trump’s win here was pivotal in securing his path to victory.
  • Pennsylvania: This state flipped back to Republican control.
  • Georgia: Another key state that Trump managed to win back.
  • Michigan: Trump successfully flipped this traditionally Democratic stronghold.

While the final popular vote tally is still being calculated, exit polls provide insight into voter priorities:

Congressional Control

The election results extend beyond the presidency:

Media Implications

The outcome of this election could be seen as a challenge to mainstream media narratives for several reasons:

  1. Polling Discrepancies: Many pre-election polls suggested a tight race or even a slight Harris advantage in key states. Trump’s victory, particularly in battleground states, may indicate that polls underestimated his support.
  2. Narrative Shifts: Throughout the campaign, much of the mainstream media focused on Trump’s legal challenges and controversies. His victory suggests that these issues may not have resonated with voters as much as economic and policy concerns.
  3. Voter Priorities: The emphasis on issues like the economy and immigration in voter decision-making may indicate a disconnect between media focus and voter concerns.
  4. Electoral Predictions: Many mainstream outlets were cautious about predicting a Trump victory, even as results began to favor him. This hesitancy could be seen as a reflection of broader media skepticism about Trump’s chances.
  5. Underestimation of Trump’s Base: The results suggest that Trump’s core support remained strong and potentially grew, despite negative coverage in much of the mainstream media.

It’s important to note that while the election outcome may challenge some media narratives, it doesn’t necessarily invalidate all mainstream reporting. The complex factors influencing voter behavior and the challenges of accurate political forecasting remain subjects of ongoing analysis and debate.

As the dust settles on this historic election, both the media and political analysts will likely engage in extensive reflection on the factors that led to Trump’s victory and the implications for future political coverage and analysis.

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