The art of the deal
The Senate has approved the first wave of disaster aid – a $15.3bn relief package – to the region devastated by Hurricane Harvey as part of surprise deal struck between Donald Trump and Democratic leadership yesterday signaling a palpable, if perhaps temporary, change of tone from the White House and irking many in the GOP.
Summary
The bill to help recovery in Texas – and particularly the area around Houston – would also temporarily raise the US federal borrowing limit and keep the government running for the next three more months.
The agreement passed by 80 votes to 17 today and defuses the looming threat of a government shutdown for at least three more months.
*stares bipartisanly*
If Trump thinks he gets better press by working with Democrats, that will be an interesting development up here on the Hill. https://t.co/ri23rSWVNX
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) September 7, 2017
Who's mans is this?
Sen. Ben Sasse plans to file an amendment to reject the debt limit/CR/Harvey package and instead pass clean disaster relief bill.
— Sabrina Siddiqui (@SabrinaSiddiqui) September 7, 2017
2. Strange bedfellows
The deal is followed by more, frankly, confusing geniality between the president and Democratic leadership this week with Trump even, apparently doing Pelosi a favor by sending a tweet on Daca recipients today. A person familiar with a call between Trump and Pelosi this morning said Trump seemed “upbeat” and indicated to both leaders he would be willing to work together again.
'Nothing to worry about'
For all of those (DACA) that are concerned about your status during the 6 month period, you have nothing to worry about - No action!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2017
Ask and you shall receive?
Pelosi on this morning: "I was telling my colleagues, this is what I asked the president to do, and boom boom boom, the tweet appeared."
— Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) September 7, 2017
3. He's dead, Jim
Politico reported Thursday that Senate Republicans are throwing cold water on the idea of holding another Obamacare repeal vote before their final window to gut the law on a simple majority vote closes at the end of this month.
Time is ticking
FYI: There are 23 days until budget reconciliation expires. After that, GOP needs 60 votes for Obamacare repeal, not 50.
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) September 7, 2017
4. The big softy
Trump took a decidedly more restrained tone than usual on the topic of North Korea during a Thursday press conference saying that “nothing’s inevitable” and that he “would prefer not going the route of military.” Trump added that “military action would certainly be an option” to deal with the crisis on the Korean Peninsula, but overall the remarks were much less bombastic than most prior.
Summary
North Korea best not make any more threats [or it will be] met with fire and fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before.” – Donald Trump on 8 August 2017
5. Collusion means never having to say you're sorry
In a prepared statement to the Senate judiciary today, Donald Trump’s eldest son Donald Jr denied colluding with any foreign government but said that he accepted a now infamous meeting with a Russian lawyer last year because he was open to receiving information about Hillary Clinton’s “fitness” for the presidency.
A question of 'fitness'
To the extent they had information concerning the fitness, character or qualifications of a presidential candidate, I believed that I should at least hear them out ... Depending on what, if any, information they had, I could then consult with counsel to make an informed decision as to whether to give it further consideration.” -Donald Trump Jr.
And then there’s this ¯\_(ツ)_/¯...
I have no sympathy for these kids.
— Ben Wexler (@mrbenwexler) September 4, 2017
Their parents broke the law.
They don't have jobs.
They cost taxpayers money.
Deport Eric & Don Jr.
Updated
What an honor...
Trump, as presser ends, to Kuwaiti Emir: "I am very, very honored and happy that you have problems with the media, also."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 7, 2017
