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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WHITE HOUSE
Officials seek $29B disaster aid package
Late-term abortion regulation approved
Funds to help victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is finalizing a $29 billion disaster aid package that combines $16 billion to shore up the government-backed flood insurance program with almost $13 billion in new relief for hurricane
victims, according to a senior administration official and top congressional aides. The huge request is expected to be officially sent to Congress on Wednesday, but its outlines were characterized by officials who demanded anonymity because the $29 billion measure is not yet public.
The request would address two pressing needs. The first is to pump money into the flood insurance program, which is rapidly running out of cash to pay an influx of claims from victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. At the same time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency continues
to spend money for disaster relief operations at a high rate and requires more money. The government-guaranteed flood insurance program is maxing out on a $30 billion line of credit from Treasury; the upcoming proposal would wipe $16 billion of that debt off the Disaster continues on A12
DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS
TRUMP DENIES DEAL TO PROTECT DREAMERS President: ‘Taxes first and then we could solve DACA’ By Erica Werner A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — GOP lawmakers who dined with Donald Trump at the White House said Tuesday the president denied making a deal with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to protect immigrants brought here illegally as kids. And House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said that the president agreed that any deal on so-called “Dreamers” would happen only after Congress dispenses with tax overhaul legislation. “Taxes first and then we could solve DACA,” recounted McCarthy, who was among the small group of GOP lawmakers at Monday night’s dinner. DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Dreamers continues on A12
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., center, speaks to immigrant rights supporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 26. The groups and allies are advocating that Congress pass a ‘Clean Dream Act’ that will prevent the deportation of Dreamers working and studying in the U.S.
Bill bans most procedures after 20 weeks of pregnancy By Mike DeBonis and Jenna Johnson WASHINGTON P O ST
The House on Tuesday approved a bill banning most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, advancing a key GOP priority for the third time in the past four years — this time, with a supportive Republican in the White House. The bill, known as the PainCapable Unborn Child Protection Act, is not expected to emerge from the Senate, where most Democrats and a handful of moderate Republicans can block its consideration. But antiabortion activists are calling President Trump’s endorsement of the bill a significant advance for their movement. The White House said in a statement released Monday that the administration “strongly supports” the legislation “and applauds the House of Representatives for continuing its efforts to secure critical pro-life protections.” The bill provides for abortions after 20 weeks gestation only when they are necessary to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest. Under the bill, abortions performed during that period could be carried out “only in the manner which, in reasonable medical judgment, provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive” and would require a second physician trained in neonatal resuscitation to be present. “It’s past time for Congress to pass a nationwide law protecting unborn children from the unspeakable cruelty of late-term abortion,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan Abortion continues on A12
CONGRESS
GOP unwilling to consider new gun laws By Lisa Mascaro TR IB UNE WASHINGT ON BUR EAU
WASHINGTON — Republican leaders in Congress showed no interest Tuesday in pursuing gun control legislation, leaving Democrats to urge President Donald Trump to
intervene in the aftermath of the shooting in Las Vegas. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said only Trump could change the stalemate in Congress, which has been unable to approve new gun safety bills, despite majority public support after the nation’s repeated mass
shootings. "A small powerful lobby that represents a vast minority - a very small minority - of Americans seems to have a stranglehold on the Republican Party," Schumer said, referring to gun rights advocates, including the National Rifle Association. "Let’s see if he has the cour-
age, the willpower to say, ’I’m going to break with that small group’ and do something that makes common sense and Americans - in overwhelming numbers, Democrats, Republicans and independents want." It is unclear whether Democrats will find a willing negotia-
tor in Trump. The White House has not raised concerns over gun laws since the Las Vegas shooting, which authorities say is the nation’s deadliest, despite Trump’s interest in stricter gun measures before becoming president. More certain Tuesday was Congress continues on A12