Congress OKs spending package, new trade deal

$1.4 trillion bill adds new programs, keeps government running.

In a year-end flurry of bipartisan compromise, Congress gave final approval on Thursday to $1.4 trillion in federal spending and also gave President Donald Trump an overwhelming bipartisan victory on a renegotiated trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. The spending agreement staved off a lapse in government funding for the remainder of the fiscal year.

About the spending agreement

The Senate cleared two spending packages that comprised the dozen must-pass bills needed to prevent funding from running out on the eve of Dec. 20. While Trump has not formally announced his intent to sign the legislation, the administration has indicated he will do so in order to avoid what would be a catastrophic lapse in funding.

Trump, having vowed never to sign a catchall spending package again, will instead sign two separate packages, stuffed with new funding allocations for a sweeping array of federal programs and many unrelated provisions, that will maintain funding through most of 2020.

Lawmakers approved the first package, containing billions of dollars for nondefense programs and a number of additions, by a vote of 71-23. It included $25 million for gun violence research, the first time in more than two decades that such funding will be provided, and a number of provisions supported by both parties.

It also incorporated provisions to fortify pensions and health care benefits for coal miners, repealed three unpopular health care taxes first outlined in the Affordable Care Act and raised the age to purchase tobacco products to 21 nationally. The package also included a last-hour congressional agreement on taxes and spending.

A second package that contained $738 billion in defense funding and funding for the administration’s immigration policies passed 81-11, the Senate’s final roll call vote of 2019.

That measure would allocate $1.375 billion for border barrier construction, placing no limitations on Trump’s ability to transfer funds from other Pentagon accounts to pay for the wall. It does not, however, replace the $3.6 billion in military construction funding that the president had previously allocated to build a border wall. The package also includes funds for a 3.1% pay raise for civilian federal employees.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / ASSOCIATED PRESS Before ending a contentious year at the U.S. Capitol, Congress managed to agree on a $1.4 trillion spending bill and a revised North American trade agreement.