Trump’s Tax Law Is Paying for Immigration Raids: Starting Line

Accidental Rainy Day Fund

President Donald Trump’s giant tax law is doing more than meets the eye. Jack Fitzpatrick reports that a $10 billion fund written into that law (HR 1) is covering payroll for Department of Homeland Security law enforcement employees during the shutdown.

It’s the latest example of pushing the boundaries of federal law to ensure administration priorities are funded. Though in this case, Republicans in Congress didn’t put a lot of restrictions on the money: Officials are directed to use the $10 billion “to safeguard the borders of the United States.”

• “It’s a difference when you’re seeing a huge amount of money like that with very vague constraints on the spending,” said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), a senior appropriator. “I’ve been through a couple shutdowns, and there’s none that had this.” Read More

This is Day 30 of lapsed funding, and there are indications in the Senate that the dam could break next week, but how isn’t clear, Ken Tran reports in this morning’s BGOV Budget.

Also Read:

• Food Aid for Millions at Risk as Senators Leave for Long Weekend
• Air Traffic Controller Union Boss Says Shutdown ‘Anger’ Growing
• Republicans Float Health-Care Fixes as Shutdown Impasse Drags On
• Court Experts Strained by US Funding Lapse as Shutdown Drags On
• House Leaders Prep for Packed Post-Shutdown Legislative Schedule
• Thune Blocks Bid to Keep Food Aid Flowing During Shutdown

A Handshake With China

Now we get to see whether trade tensions with China — and maybe Canada — calm down.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to extend a tariff truce, roll back export controls and reduce other trade barriers in a landmark summit. Beijing said the US agreed to ease restrictions on Chinese companies. The US will also halve fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese goods, while Beijing resumes purchases of what Trump called “massive amounts” of soybeans, sorghum and other farm products. Read More

At the same Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, Trump said he had a “very nice conversation” with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, despite Trump’s outrage over the Canadian province of Ontario airing TV commercials in the US that used a Ronald Reagan radio address criticizing tariffs. Read More

See Also:

• Trump Says Nvidia Chip Talks With Xi Didn’t Cover Blackwell
• China’s Year-Long Rare Earths Truce Offers Near-Term Relief
• Trump Says China to Purchase More US Energy, Touts Alaska Deal
• Senate Rebuffs Trump on Canada Tariffs Amid GOP Dissent on Trade
• US, South Korea Finalize Deal on Investments, Lower Tariff Rate

Divisive Nomination

A wellness entrepreneur who graduated from medical school but withdrew from her residency without finishing is an unconventional candidate for surgeon general and is in line for an unusual nomination hearing today.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee scheduled a virtual meeting so that nominee Casey Means, who is pregnant, wouldn’t have to travel to Washington.

The president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Peter Lurie, urged senators to reject the nomination. Means “is deeply unqualified to provide health advice to Americans” and “has frequently used her public platform to spread misinformation,” according to his statement.

• “If confirmed, we expect her to promote falsehoods about vaccines and other essential health topics, which will ultimately harm our health, not improve it. These include recommending against birth control pills, arguing in favor of raw milk, and blaming vaccines for causing autism,” Lurie said.

Other nominees under fire:

• Two Trump Mississippi Judicial Picks Face ‘Trouble’ Advancing
• Trump’s Pick for HHS Watchdog Deemed Dangerous by Top Democrat
• Ex-Im Bank Nominee Withdraws Amid Scrutiny of Russia Ties (The Washington Post)

Don’t Talk About Trump

Democrats trying to flip red congressional seats are spending a lot of time in this pre-election year preparing their pitches for voters — and that can be a delicate proposition, reports Mica Soellner.

Their challenge: making the case for a change of direction without sounding like they’re wagging fingers at those who helped elect Trump.

• “You have to respect voters,” said Democrat Bobby Pulido, who’ll try to unseat GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz in Texas. “I did not vote the same way they did, but the last thing I’m going to do is call them names.”

In Virginia, Democrat Shannon Taylor said she’s focusing on crime and the economy in her challenge of Rep. Rob Wittman (R). “We know there are issues that all people can agree on, regardless of party affiliation,” she said. Read More

Before You Go

Nuclear Tit for Tat: In response to Russia announcing trials of so-called nuclear superweapons, Trump has ordered nuclear weapon tests by the Pentagon, Derek Wallbank and Alastair Gale report. The White House didn’t clarify whether that means nuclear-powered weapons, those that can carry nuclear warheads, or nuclear detonations. Read More

Commissioner Choice: National Economic Council staffer Ryan Baasch is in line for a nomination to the Federal Trade Commission, Josh Sisco and Leah Nylen report. If confirmed, Baasch would fill one of three Republican spots on the five-member agency, which has faced upheaval since Trump sought to dismiss the FTC’s two Democrats in March. Read More

Begin Tomorrow With Us

To get Starting Line for free on weekday mornings, sign up here.