CRISIS/HOUSE OF REPS/NATIONAL DEBT/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The House on Friday approved a package of $15.25 billion in relief for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma as well as a three-month extension of the government’s funding and borrowing limit.
Passed in a 316-90 vote, the bill was the result of an unexpected deal President Donald Trump struck with Democratic leaders in which they agreed to wrap together the hurricane relief aid with a controversial short-term extension of the debt ceiling. The bill passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the White House for Mr. Trump’s signature.
Under the bill, the government’s funding will now expire on Dec. 8 and the debt limit will be suspended until the same date, although Treasury Department officials will be able to take steps to continue paying the government’s bills for a period beyond that.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) relied on the votes of House Democrats to clear the bill Friday, when many conservatives balked at voting to raise the debt limit without taking any steps to rein in federal spending.
The bill passed with the support of 133 Republicans and 183 Democrats. It was opposed by 90 Republicans. No Democrats voted against it.”
-Kristina Peterson, “House Passes Deal on Storm Aid, Debt Limit, Government Funding,” The Wall Street Journal online, Sept. 8, 2017 10:37am