David Sherfinski
Articles by David Sherfinski
Dozens of deductions added to new tax code
Electric motorcycle manufacturers, NASCAR racetracks and Puerto Rican rum producers all breathed a sigh of relief last week. Published February 11, 2018
House, Senate pass massive budget increase; vote to end government shutdown
The House approved a stopgap bill early Friday to keep the government open and to boost spending by about $300 billion over the next two years, acting swiftly after the Senate voted hours earlier to ensure that the government shutdown that began at midnight would be short-lived. Published February 9, 2018
Senate Republicans miss spending deadline as shutdown looms
The government careened Friday morning into its second partial shutdown in less than three weeks -- though this one appeared likely to be short-lived. Published February 9, 2018
Budget deal shows high cost of bipartisanship
This week's deal to add $320 billion to the deficit over the next 20 months and set the stage for $1.8 trillion more in deficits over the next decade has won strong reviews from those who want to see Democrats and Republicans get along better. Published February 8, 2018
Government shutdown looms amid Rand Paul filibuster
Congressional leaders were racing another government shutdown clock Thursday night, searching for votes to approve a budget deal that could set the stage for the biggest spending increase in U.S. history. Published February 8, 2018
Nancy Pelosi calls budget deal a ‘good bill,’ but won’t vote for it
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday there are many good elements in the two-year budget deal struck this week, but confirmed she plans to vote no. Published February 8, 2018
Military leaders want Congress to approve budget deal
The Pentagon says it should be able to get more planes into the air, more ships on the seas and more equipment to troops in the field if Congress approves the major budget agreement struck by Senate leaders on Wednesday. Published February 7, 2018
Congress reaches deal to boost spending nearly $300 billion
Senate leaders reached a two-year spending deal Wednesday that would boost the budget by nearly $300 billion in 2018 and 2019, with the Pentagon's budget rising $80 billion and domestic spending by $63 billion this year alone. Published February 7, 2018
Nancy Pelosi: I’ll oppose emerging budget deal without immigration assurances
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday threatened to oppose an emerging budget deal without a commitment from Speaker Paul D. Ryan for a freewheeling consideration of immigration legislation. Published February 7, 2018
House passes bill to avert shutdown
The U.S. House on Tuesday passed a spending bill that would keep the government open past Thursday and provide a full-year boost to defense funding, as lawmakers tried to speed toward a massive budget deal before the end of the week. Published February 6, 2018
House moves forward on bill that would avert shutdown
The House voted Tuesday to avert another government shutdown, approving a bill to fund the military for the rest of the year and domestic operations for six more weeks, as all sides sounded optimistic about a broader deal. Published February 6, 2018
House plans Tuesday vote on six-week stopgap funding bill
House GOP leaders are planning a Tuesday vote on another stopgap spending bill that would keep the government running through March 23 and provide funding for the military through September. Published February 6, 2018
Paul Ryan’s leadership PAC transfers $715K to shore up GOP incumbents
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan's political action committee on Monday announced a transfer of nearly a quarter of a million dollars to GOP incumbents, as Republicans start spreading cash to protect their House majority in November's elections. Published February 5, 2018
GOP tax cuts hit balanced budget chances
The Republicans' new tax cut law may be putting more money into Americans' pockets, but it's about to take a huge bite out of the federal Treasury, all but dooming their chances of producing a balanced budget. Published February 4, 2018
Donald Trump, GOP optimistic on 2018 midterm elections at West Virginia retreat
President Trump and congressional Republicans said Thursday that their prospects are brightening for the November midterm elections and predicted that Democrats will begin to feel pressure to find ways to cooperate on the big issues facing Capitol Hill. Published February 1, 2018
Paul Ryan rejects calls to remove Devin Nunes from Intelligence post
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Thursday rejected Democratic calls to remove House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes from his post, dismissing them as "political games" meant to distract the public. Published February 1, 2018
Donald Trump likens Nancy Pelosi’s ‘crumbs’ tax comments to Hillary Clinton’s ‘deplorables’
President Trump on Thursday likened House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's calling the recent tax law-related bonuses "crumbs" to Hillary Clinton's infamous "deplorable" comments from the 2016 campaign. Published February 1, 2018
President Trump tells Republicans: ‘This is just the beginning’
President Trump fired up congressional Republicans gathered to plot their 2018 agenda Thursday, telling them they ticked off historic accomplishments last year and urging them to keep their foot on the gas ahead of November's election. Published February 1, 2018
John Thune predicts there won’t be another government shutdown
Facing another funding deadline next week, congressional Republican leaders expressed confidence Thursday that there will be not another government shutdown and that Congress will be able to increase the country's borrowing limit after a fresh warning from its scorekeeper. Published February 1, 2018
Mike Pence rallies GOP ahead of 2018 midterms
After a somber start to congressional Republicans' annual policy retreat, Vice President Mike Pence tried to rally the troops Wednesday evening, telling the GOP they helped oversee the best year for conservatives in decades and that they need to tell that story ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Published January 31, 2018