Republican Senate Leader McConnell announced that the Senate leaders had agreed on a US budget deal. It stipulates the increase in defense and non-military spending, as well as the boost in infrastructure investments. The deal also suggests the extension of children's insurance program for ten years instead of the current six.
I'm happy to announce that our bipartisan, bicameral negotiations on defense spending and other priorities have yielded a significant agreement. Thank you @SenSchumer for joining me this afternoon, and for the productive discussions that generated this proposal.
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) 7 февраля 2018 г.
McConnell stressed that the deal "is the product of extensive negotiations among congressional leaders and the White House."
In a series of Twitter posts, Mitch McConnell said that the military budget boost "will unwind the sequestration cuts that have hurt our military and jeopardized national security." The deal is also set to provide additional funds for disaster relief efforts and address the opioid crisis in the United States, he added.
Despite McConnell saying that a number of issues, including immigration and border security are yet to be discussed, the deal represents "a bipartisan step forward."
As I’ve said publicly many times, our upcoming immigration debate on #DACA, border security, & other issues will be a process that is fair to all sides. While I obviously cannot guarantee any outcomes, let alone supermajority support, I can ensure the process is fair to all sides
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) 7 февраля 2018 г.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the agreement as a moment when the Democrats and Republicans cooperate.
"We have reached the budget deal that neither side loves but both sides can be proud of," he pointed out.
This is the fourth budget resolution to extend the government financing since the beginning of the fiscal year in October 2017. The Senate Democrats have been blocking it, insisting on the inclusion of measures on immigration in the bill, to which the White House and Republicans are opposed.
