MNI POLITICAL RISK - Congress Passes 4th Stopgap Of FY2024

• Congress yesterday passed another short-term Continuing Resolution to keep the government open whilst appropriators hammer out Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills. The new CR, the fourth of fiscal year 2024, retains the laddered structure introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) last year and sets new deadlines for March 8 and March 22.
• The CR ensures that the government will be open when President Biden delivers his State of the Union address in front of the House of Representatives on March 7. The speech is likely to be the most widely viewed of any he will make ahead of November’s election and presents risk for Biden as polls continue to report serious voter concerns about his age and mental competence.
• President Biden and former President Donald Trump delivered duelling speeches at separate sectors of the US-Mexico border yesterday to stake out their positions on border security – likely to be the most important political wedge issue of the presidential election.
• A bilateral meeting between President Biden and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni today is likely to focus on support for Ukraine and Italy’s presidency of the G7.
• The US Department of Commerce has confirmed the start of a “regulatory process” investigating the potential national security risks posed by 'connected vehicles' from China.
• Today could be another consequential day for former President Donald Trump’s 2024 legal calendar with key proceedings scheduled in Florida and Georgia.
• Poll of the Day: Strengthening the economy is the top priority for 2024.

Full article: US Daily Brief