Despite the passing of the spending bill for Government there was lots of tension. It appeared that the biggest issue was where money should be spent. How much spent could also create a problem as well.
Some of the major concerns were related to disaster aid, health care and immigration related matters.
These issues were causing Congress lots of tension as ideas varied making it hard to reach an agreement.
The border wall still remained a pet project of Trump. Democrats had hoped to use the wall funding to push saving DACA, Trump wasn’t fond of the idea.
DACA vs. Wall
“We all want Daca to happen but we also want great security for our Country,” Trump said. He was surrounded by Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell as he spoke.
“President Trump has said he may need a good government shutdown to get his wall,” Dick Durbin, the No 2 Senate Democrat, said. “With this demand, he seems to be heading in that direction.”
Durbin was responding to Trump’s desire for the border wall.
“I have a very good relationship with Mexico. But yes, in some form, Mexico will pay for the wall,” Trump said. “I believe Mexico will pay for the wall.” Trump wanted $18 billion over a ten year period.
Congress Tension
A big topic for Congress was running trials for cures to help humanity. The gene editing technology was thought to have the ability to cure some deadly diseases.
“If we are spending billions to incentivize the development of new drugs, I think we also have to ensure that patients can afford those drugs,” said Representative Jan Schakowsky, Democrat of Illinois. “It is almost cruel to find a cure and then have it priced so high that a patient can’t afford it.”
Health care was a big concern for some. The Affordable Care Act and Children’s Health Insurance Program were matters that needed addressing.
“The cynic in me says it’s because of the prevalence of selfishness, “said R. Alta Charo. “We all want to know there’s something out there that will cure us if we need it, but many of us are quite reluctant to pay for somebody else to get cured when they need it.”
“What good is the research if all you do is treat people in a clinical trial and publish a few papers?” Ms. Bale asked. “I’m afraid that patients will be left in the lurch.”
“If you can’t provide the best possible care for people today, and CHIP is an essential part of that for millions of children,” Dr. Porteus said, “you’ll be in a poor position to provide advanced care to people in the future.”