President Trump told lawmakers he will veto a budget that does not include $5 billion to fund a U.S.-Mexico border wall project. A veto from the President would further delay disaster relief funds for victims of California’s wildfires. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) is brokering a deal with the White House that would split the $5 billion between Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2020, but it is unclear of President Trump will accept a compromise.
The final appropriations package will include disaster relief funds for victims of California wildfires. Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Pat Leahy (D-Vermont) said earlier this month that the package would include $720 million in wildfire relief, but Shelby says the Committee does not have a final number yet.
Congress has until December 7, 2018 to pass a budget or another stop gap funding measure to avoid a partial government shutdown. The deadline is a week away and appropriators are considering a one-week extension that would allow Congress up until the last day of the 115th Congress to pass a budget for Fiscal 2017.