Budget Tracker Extra

CQ budget reporter Kellie Mejdrich breaks down why Senate appropriators face stiff opposition from the House and White House over how to pay for a private health care program for veterans.

Congress returns from its Fourth of July break with expectations that it will tackle a robust spending agenda including the two chambers negotiating the final shape of three spending bills — as lawmakers hope to avoid another 12-bill omnibus. But, there are several challenges ahead both inside and outside of the annual appropriations process. CQ appropriations reporters Ryan McCrimmon and Kellie Mejdrich discuss what the final three months leading into fiscal 2019 hold with guest host...

The Congressional Budget Office recently issued an alarming report on the nation's debt outlook, which CQ senior budget reporter Paul M. Krawzak says should worry millennials.

The Senate hit some speed bumps in its push last week to pass a package of spending bills including how to pay for private health care for veterans, says CQ appropriations reporter Kellie Mejdrich.

CQ budget and appropriations reporter Jennifer Shutt breaks down the various budget measures Congress will take up this week, including the three-bill spending package and a possible House budget resolution to set spending and revenue guidelines for the coming fiscal year.

The House moved two big appropriations packages — a bundle of spending bills and a measure to cancel almost $15 billion already allocated — but their future remains uncertain amid Democratic opposition.

The House takes up its first package of spending bills — a minibus — for fiscal 2019 this week, while the Appropriations committees continue to mark up their remaining bills ahead of floor action. CQ Budget and Appropriations reporter Ryan McCrimmon and Roll Call Senior Senate reporter Niels Lesniewski explain what the summer holds for appropriations bills in both chambers and how other legislative priorities may impact floor votes.

President Donald Trump's move to criminally prosecute migrants crossing the border illegally, and to separate them from their children, aims to end the longstanding practice of releasing immigrants into the country, pending deportation, says CQ immigration reporter Dean DeChiaro. Trump's also boosting enforcement inside the country, but sanctuary city policies are impeding his efforts, explains Ariel Ruiz Soto of the Migration Policy Institute.

Lawmakers know how much money they can have for the 12 spending bills but the House wants to give a huge chunk of it for Homeland Security, leaving no room for any increase to the Labor-HHS-Education bill, says CQ Budget and Appropriations editor Peter Cohn. He adds that the spending bill could even see huge cuts if the proposed $15 billion package to claw back money already allocated passes.

The House Appropriations Committee takes up a spending bill to provide fiscal 2019 funding for the Interior Department and the EPA—attracting riders from lawmakers that could waylay the legislation. CQ energy and environment reporter Jeremy Dillon explains what's going on.

CQ appropriations reporter Jennifer Shutt outlines the obstacles lawmakers could face in advancing the Trump administration's proposal to claw back $15 billion from previously approved spending.

It's not a joke! House appropriators are starting to mark up two spending bills this week. CQ appropriations reporter Kellie Mejdrich breaks down what's in the Military Construction-VA title, while reporter Katherine Tully McManus unpacks the Legislative Branch bill that funds all that keeps Congress going.

Republican lawmakers are hoping to be able to pass several of 12 spending bills before the 2019 fiscal year begins Oct. 1. CQ appropriations reporter Jennifer Shutt explains how that might work.

On the heels of Republican leaders calling for cuts to entitlement programs, a GOP-written farm bill is headed to the House for a vote, angering Democrats who charge they were left out of the process and as a result millions of low-income people could lose food aid. CQ agriculture reporter Ellyn Ferguson explains those dynamics.

The new tax law has been billed by Republican proponents as spurring economic growth, but it is likely to also boost the country's debt and catch some taxpayers off guard.

Republican lawmakers and President Donald Trump are mulling going back to the 2018 omnibus and cutting programs already funded by the spending bill in a possible effort to assuage their political base, says CQ budget editor Peter Cohn. He explains the steps lawmakers would need to take to make that happen.

Democrats say the GOP is being hypocritical to call for a balanced budget amendment after passing legislation that skyrocketed the deficit. CQ appropriations reporter Ryan McCrimmon unpacks what's behind the GOP's drive.

The fiscal 2018 omnibus is finally law. But, Congress is already prepping to take on the fiscal 2019 appropriations process. Despite optimism, meeting the Oct. 1 fiscal year deadline will be an uphill climb, says CQ appropriations reporter Jennifer Shutt.

CQ appropriation reporters Kellie Mejdrich and Ryan McCrimmon explain how a committee chairmanship can pay off in more ways than one and why Republicans are once again talking about another rounds of tax cuts.

CQ budget and appropriations reporter Jennifer Shutt explains how the latest negotiations to arrive at a fiscal 2018 catchall spending bill have been mired over funding that could reach Planned Parenthood, always a contentious issue for lawmakers. Also, Congress considers changing the start of the fiscal year.