BUDGET/CHUCK SCHUMER/DHS/JUSTICE DEPARTMENT/ROBERT MUELLER/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday [11-14-18] that budget negotiations are set to move forward so long as President Donald Trump doesn’t interfere with them…He added that Senate Democrats also want to ensure that Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker doesn’t interfere with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian collusion, a priority for Democrats in the House as well. The president tapped Whitaker to temporarily lead the Justice Department after he ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions last week. The battle over funding the government is expected to raise several coHS/ntroversial issues, including funding for Trump’s border wall and language protecting special counsel Robert Mueller’s job. Trump and his Republican allies want the spending bill to include a substantial funding increase for border security, with Senate Republicans asking for $5 billion. Democrats oppose the proposal without a deal on immigration. Congress has until Dec. 7 to pass a spending bill and avoid a partial government shutdown. The Department of Homeland Security is among the agencies that will need a funding extension.”
–Marianne Levine, “Schumer to Trump: Stay out of budget talks,” Politico, November 14, 2018 12:20 pm