CQ Budget

With COVID-19 legislation taking up all the oxygen on Capitol Hill and lawmakers largely out of town during April, typical appropriations routines have been put on hold. Budget tracker David Lerman and budget and appropriations reporter Jennifer Shutt explain where normal business stands and what could happen as the pandemic continues — especially with another stimulus bill in the works. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Funding for managing the coronavirus has been passed and signed by President Trump, but it appears to be just the beginning as the virus impacts more people. CQ Roll Call health care reporter Andrew Siddons joins the podcast to talk about how the money will be used, and what additional steps Congress might take to stimulate the economy and help those hit by the virus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Teamsters union’s largest pension fund is famous for appearing as a cash cow for mobsters in movies, most recently "The Irishman," but the reality is the fund is running out of money. CQ Roll Call reporter Doug Sword joins the podcast to explain why the shrinking fund and the projected insolvency of the federal backstop has lawmakers on both sides of the aisle working to find a solution for retirees.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The race to succeed Nita M. Lowey, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, is already underway. Jennifer Shutt and David Lerman discuss the three official contenders, their experiences on various subcommittees and why discussions are happening so far in advance of the 117th Congress.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Military projects championed by key Republican lawmakers will lose $3.8 billion in funding under a Trump administration proposal to divert it to border wall construction. CQ Roll Call senior defense reporter John Donnelly joins Jennifer Shutt and David Lerman to talk about the future of the programs and the effect on the lawmakers representing the districts that would be impacted.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The president unveiled his fiscal 2021 budget request Monday. In this episode, we share our key takeaways and some caveats: it's a budget released by a president up for re-election, and it's very challenging for any budget to make it through Congress without significant changes. Plus, we analyze opportunities that have bipartisan support, but a slim chance of implementation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Democrats are making another attempt to pass a big infrastructure spending program, and both parties say they want one. But they've been saying that for years now and there’s been no real progress. So what’s this latest effort about? Jessica Wehrman, transportation and infrastructure reporter for CQ Roll Call joins the podcast to explain what's going on.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The House has returned from recess and the impeachment trial continues on, but that's not what has David and Jenn the most excited — they're ready for the Congressional Budget Office to release its annual budget forecast. Jenn and David share their predictions. Plus, earmarks could make a comeback. Jenn explains what's going on. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no room for big increases in FY 2021 appropriations bills, even though veterans health care faces much higher costs. CQ Roll Call reporter Jennifer Shutt joins the podcast to explain where the spending bills are going to be squeezed. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CQ Roll Call reporter Jennifer Shutt joins the podcast to share her predictions on what we can expect from the year to come in the appropriations process. Despite a deal on overall spending limits, election campaign pressures may force another delay in getting appropriations passed on time. We'll also examine a little-noticed provision in a funding bill from last year that has widened a fight among victims of terrorism seeking access to a federal compensation fund.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices