Race to the Finish...
Late Tuesday night House Speaker Paul Ryan announced a $1.1 trillion spending bill and $500 billion tax package deal to fund the government through fall 2016. The spending legislation and tax package will go to the House, to be voted on separately, on Thursday. The bills are expected to pass despite criticism from Democrats who feel the tax breaks are too costly and far right GOP members who refuse to concede on the refugee issue. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not specified whether the Senate will take up the spending and tax bills separately or together, but has until Dec. 22 to seal the issue before the most recent continuing resolution expires. Expect both bills to be passed before the weekend. Text of the 2009 page Omnibus may be found here: http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20151214/CPRT-114-HPRT-RU00-SAHR2029-AMNT1final.pdf. Accompanying tables should be released within 24 hours.