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US CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS have reached a deal on a federal spending bill which if passed by lawmakers this week will avert a government shutdown, a top lawmaker and congressional aides said late last night.
The agreement would keep federal operations running through 30 September, the end of the fiscal year.
Congress is expected to vote in the coming days on the package, which aides said includes some $1.5 billion in funding for increased border security measures, but no funding for an actual wall.
They also said it adds $2 billion in new funding for the National Institutes of Health, and is expected to increase military spending.
Comprehensive details were not available last night as the measure had yet to be officially finalised and released. Lawmakers have until Friday to get new spending legislation to President Donald Trump’s desk.
“This agreement is a good agreement for the American people, and takes the threat of a government shutdown off the table,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.
“The bill ensures taxpayer dollars aren’t used to fund an ineffective border wall, excludes poison pill riders, and increases investments in programs that the middle-class relies on, like medical research, education, and infrastructure.”
Trump made building the wall one of the primary pledges of his presidential campaign, insisting it would begin within his first 100 days, a milestone that came and went on Saturday.
Last week, White House aides acknowledged the administration could wait until later this year or next year to consider funding for the wall.
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@Brendan O’Brien: It’s quite easy, it’s called clutching at the straws of diversity, every Ad on TV and poster campaigns on the streets portrays Ireland as a mixed race family paradise. It’s the push against white families that bothers me. The demographics on the street don’t mirror what’s on our TVs, pushing the THEIR narrative down our throats.
@Freda Peeple: ‘push against white families’ is sheer fantasy. I prefer to see a recognition that not everyone in the country is white.
@Brendan O’Brien: Of course you do Brendan, you will lap up whatever you are served.
@Freda Peeple: as seen on our children school books recently…”white family bad” “mixed family AWESOME” I will add I have no problem with mixed race family, but according to our advertisers they are the norm. They aren’t
@Freda Peeple: No point talking to him, he eats cornflakes with a fork.
@William Slevin: Could not have said it better myself.
@William Slevin: ‘There are too many Black people on my television’ is just racism no matter how you slice it.
The Bear is next level telly.
@Mel Fitzpatrick: I thought S3 was a bit of a comedown after the high of S2. Still very good though.
@Mel Fitzpatrick: Season 3 was awful
@William Slevin: fully agree. I reckon the next season could be the last.
Racists even in this comment section …
@Jack Hayes: “I hear your a racist now Father Jack”
People of colour have lived in Ireland for years. White is also a colour!
Shogun is an absolute bore fest. Visually it is fantastic but the writing is bad and the two main characters are wholly unlikeable.
True Detective NC was good, but they could have toned down the slapstick humour a bit. Was lacking a more serious tone in my view.
have your say