BUDGET/CONGRESS/GOP/SENATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Congress plans to unveil a massive bipartisan $1.3 trillion spending package Wednesday [3-21-18] that will keep the government funded until the end of September, and the White House and GOP leaders say the plan has President Donald Trump’s support. But questions remain whether the proposal can pass Congress without shutting down the government. Lawmakers have agreed on funding levels for every corner of the government with $700 billion budgeted for defense and $591 billion slated for non-defense spending, but the legislation also is expected to include policy riders like a bill that incentivizes state and federal authorities to report more data to the country’s gun background check system — commonly known around Capitol Hill as “Fix NICS…” The rush now is to move the legislation as quickly as possible. Lawmakers have until Friday [3-23-18] at midnight to pass the bill before the government runs out of money. The House is expected to vote on the plan later this week — likely Thursday [3-22-18], according to House Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry — but the main obstacle will be whether the Senate can move quickly enough to avert a shutdown given its rules. If one lawmaker objects, it could force Senate leaders to run out the clock and even face a temporary shutdown into the weekend.”
–Lauren Fox, Phil Mattingly, Ted Barrett and Deidre Walsh, “Congress set to unveil $1.3 trillion spending package, includes background check bill,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, Mar. 21, 2018 3:56pm