Budget Fight Resumes: Congressional leaders met with White House staff to discuss budget priorities for the year. Key points of contention include DACA, President Trump’s border wall proposal, the size of the defense budget, and the nature of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Congress has until January 19th to avoid a government shutdown in the absence of a full budget or another temporary funding measure.

DACA Negotiations: After a series of meetings with members of Congress, President Trump rejected a bipartisan deal that provides a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and addresses other immigration policy issues. A group of House Republicans released their proposed plan, the Securing America’s Future Act (H.R. 4760), which would give DACA recipients a three-year renewable legal status in exchange for stricter immigration restrictions and more funding for border security.

 

Renewing Government Surveillance: The House voted 256-164 to pass the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act (S. 139). The bill would reauthorize and expand the ability of government agencies to monitor the communications of foreign nationals, including communications with American citizens, without a warrant.
 

Securing American Non-Profits Against Terrorism Act: The House passed H.R. 1486 by Rep. Thompson (D-MS-02), which would create a grant program for non-profits, including houses of worship, to increase their security if they are at risk for domestic terrorism.

SALT Deductibility Act: Rep. Lowey (D-NY-17) and Rep. King (R-NY-2) introduced H.R. 4740, which would remove the $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction that would be implemented under the recently-passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1).

Tax Benefit for Homeschooling: Rep. Smith (R-MO-8) filed H.R. 4736, which would allow funds from tax-free 529 college savings plans to be used for K-12 homeschooling expenses. This policy was originally part of H.R. 1 but was excluded from the final bill.