THE LONG GAME: Deal reached on Homeland Security funding; Senate slows TikTok bill
Disputes over spending for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appeared to have been resolved Monday night, reducing the possibility of a partial government shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced the deal in separate statements Tuesday morning. Sources say that the deal will call for funding for DHS for the remainder of the fiscal year, rather than through a stopgap measure. A bipartisan package to fund the Departments of Defense, State, Education, HHS and Labor had been expected to be released on Sunday. However, negotiators could not close the deal. At the heart of the dispute were longstanding debates over immigration and border security, coupled with other matters: Democrats had pushed for pay equity for the Transportation Security Administration, while Republicans wanted more money for detention and enforcement programs. In addition to key departments, the legislation would also fund the IRS, congressional operations, and the District of Columbia. Lawmakers have until Friday to pass the spending measures—which will add up to about $1.6 trillion in spending--to prevent a partial government shutdown.
Senators appear to be in no hurry to follow the House’s vote last week that could ban TikTok in the U.S. The bill, which would force ByteDance to sell the app within six months if it is to continue operating in the U.S., passed the House resoundingly by a vote of 352 to 65. The legislation was approved at a rapid pace, just eight days after it was introduced. Proponents argue that the app could be used to spread Chinese propaganda or endanger users’ personal data. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not decided whether to bring the bill to the floor. The delay likely means that there will be intense lobbying by both sides. The Biden Administration supports the bill and national security advisor John Kirby said Sunday that the White House wants the Senate to act “swiftly” on the bill. Meanwhile, former president Donald Trump has reversed his position multiple times; in an interview with Fox News last Friday, he said that he now supports the proposal.
Washington Watch is published weekly when Congress is in session. Published monthly during extended recess or adjournment.
Spotlight on Puerto Rico
Photo Credit: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters/File
First Lady visits Fort Buchanan
First Lady Jill Biden visited with military families at Fort Buchanan, the only U.S. Army installation in the Caribbean, on Sunday. The trip was part of Dr. Biden’s “Joining Forces” initiative to support military families. In her remarks, the First Lady praised the sacrifices of military families. She was accompanied by Puerto Rico’s governor, as well as by San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero, among others. The installation generates an annual investment of more than $500 million for the local economy, and serves approximately 15,000 active duty, Reserve, National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and Navy Reserve Center members. The First Lady’s visit is one of two high-profile visits to Puerto Rico by administration officials in March. Later this week, Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to the Island.
Nearly all of Puerto Rico’s Municipalities See Population Losses
According to the Institute of Statistics of Puerto Rico, 96 percent of municipalities in Puerto Rico experienced a decrease in population between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2023. That was among the findings of the Annual Population Estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Monday. Only three municipalities-- Rincón, Naranjito, and Barranquitas—saw increases in population, with slight gains that ranged from 0.1 to 1.6 percent. The municipality that experienced the largest decrease in population was Guánica, which had been hard hit by the earthquakes of 2020. The municipality lost about 10 percent of its population. Overall, the Island’s population dropped by 2.4 percent during the period, which translates into approximately 80,000 fewer residents. Over the same period, the median age increased, rising from 43.7 to 46.7 years of age.
Environmentalists Urge Scrutiny of Methane-Burning Generators
A coalition of environmental activists is urging the Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to launch a probe into the use of 17 temporary generators that burn methane gas, according to the San Juan Daily Star. The generators were installed by FEMA and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers following Hurricane Fiona. Last week, the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) authorized a contract with New Fortress Energy, the parent company of Genera PR, to maintain 14 generators. The coalition, Queremos Sol (We Want Sun), claimed that use of the generators runs contrary to the Clean Air Act. The use of the temporary generators “has exposed residents of a dense and already contaminated urban area to illegal levels of air pollution,” said a member of the coalition. The generators produce about 350 megawatts (MW) of power, representing 10 percent of the installed energy on the Island.
View From The White House
The White House announced that Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge will step down later this month, becoming only the third cabinet member to depart the Biden administration.
The Biden administration launched an initiative last week to increase training on and access to medications such as Naloxone that can be used to reverse opioid overdoses.
According to CNN, the Biden Administration has begun internal discussions about using Guantanamo Bay to process a possible surge in Haitian migrants as conditions worsen on the island.
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