Budget talks bogged down by immigration, deficit concerns
WASHINGTON — A week after a standoff forced a three-day government shutdown, congressional budget talks remain bogged down by Democrats’ demands to protect “Dreamer” immigrants and GOP conservatives’ concerns about a booming federal deficit.
The deadlock is deflating hopes that lawmakers will reach a breakthrough before another shutdown deadline next week.
At risk are up to $80 billion in increases for the Pentagon this year alone, and nearly as much money for domestic programs. Almost $100 billion worth of overdue assistance for hurricane-slammed Puerto Rico, Texas and Florida is being held up.
The knot involves about $1.2 billion in agency operating budgets for the fiscal year that began in October, along with hurricane relief, President Donald Trump’s $18 billion-plus border wall, and other odds and ends.