MNI POLITICAL RISK - Congress Set To Punt Govt Funding Again

Executive Summary:

• Congressional leaders struck a deal yesterday to extend government funding until March 8 and March 22, significantly decreasingly the risk of a partial government shutdown on Saturday. The House of Representatives will vote on a short-term Continuing Resolution to punt the deadlines today. Assuming the bill passes the House, the Senate is expected to move the CR with unanimous consent this evening.
• President Biden and former President Donald Trump will deliver duelling speeches on immigration at the US-Mexico border today as they both attempt to influence the narrative on border security.
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will step down as Republican leader after the general election in November. McConnell’s departure from leadership will be a major blow for Ukraine and move the GOP into greater alignment with Trump - away from the traditional Republican conservatism which characterised the party prior to 2016.
• Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) has railed against efforts to strongarm Senate Republicans into "rubber stamping" the USD$78 billion bipartisan tax deal.
• Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has discussed using frozen Russian assets to compensate Ukraine in meetings with counterparts at the G20 finance ministers' meeting in Brazil.
• The leaders of 23 European parliaments yesterday undersigned a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) urging him to pass additional aid for Ukraine.
• Poll of the Day: Trump is leading Biden in all seven swing states.

Please find the full article attached below:

MNIPOLRISKUSDaily290224.pdf