US extends debt limit

Congress approves Trump’s aid and deal with the Democrats

Lawmakers also approve hurricane-related aid, delivering on Trump’s deal with Democrats.

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers approved a Bill extending the government debt limit for three months and providing about US$15bil (RM63bil) in hurricane-related aid, delivering on President Donald Trump’s surprising deal with Democratic congressional leaders.

The Bill, approved in a 316-90 vote on Friday by the US House of Representatives, had ignited criticism of Trump from some conservative members of Congress.

But it was passed by the Senate on Thursday and now goes to the Republican president, who is expected to sign it quickly.

Despite controversy, lawmakers had rushed to approve the legislation, which provides US$15.25bil for emergency disaster aid, before government aid ran out at week’s end as Americans deal with two deadly hurricanes, including Irma.

Hurricane Harvey, which came ashore on Aug 25 as the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years, killed about 60 people, displaced more than one million and the state governor has said it caused up to US$180bil (RM754bil) in damage.

The Bill raised questions about the relationship between Trump, a political outsider who took office in January, and Republican Party regulars.

He has frequently criticised Senate leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan and his deal on Wednesday with Democratic congressional leaders Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi was an especially troublesome shock for conservative members.

Conservatives’ souring relations with the administration are likely to remain a factor as Congress and the White House now face a Dec 8 deadline on the debt limit and government spending.

Before the vote, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House budget director Mick Mulvaney had pleaded the White House’s case to Republican lawmakers at a Friday morning meeting.

It was not well received by some. “There’s a lot of disappointment in the decision the president made and the way our leadership was treated,” said House Republican Representative Hal Rogers, describing a sense of “animosity” at the meeting.

“There was some hissing and I don’t know if there were some booing but there were some groans,” Republican Representative Mark Walker said.

There’s a lot of disappointment in the decision the president made and the way our leadership was treated. Hal Rogers