President Donald Trump sided with congressional Democrats on combining a Hurricane Harvey disaster relief package, an increase in the debt ceiling, and a government funding measure into one piece of legislation, Democratic leaders said Wednesday after a meeting with Trump at the White House. “In the meeting, the President and Congressional leadership agreed to pass aid for Harvey, an extension of the debt limit, and a continuing resolution both to December 15, all together,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said in a statement. “Both sides have every intention of avoiding default in December and look forward to working together on the many issues before us.” House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin were reportedly opposed to such a short-term extension of the debt ceiling. The House overwhelmingly passed a $7.85 billion aid package for Harvey victims earlier Wednesday, kicking it to the Senate. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn told The Daily Beast on Tuesday that that he would support combining at least two of those measures—Harvey aid and the debt ceiling—into one piece of legislation.
—Andrew Desiderio
