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David Sherfinski

David Sherfinski covered politics for The Washington Times. 

Articles by David Sherfinski

The U.S. Capitol in Washington on Thursday night, Feb. 8, 2018. The Senate passed a budget deal and spending measure to reopen the shuttered federal government early Friday morning, sending the bill to the House. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

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 Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walk to the chamber after collaborating on an agreement in the Senate on a two-year, almost $400 billion budget deal that would provide Pentagon and domestic programs with huge spending increases, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., questions state insurance commissioners during a hearing on the individual health insurance market for 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) ** FILE **

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

Defense Secretary James Mattis speaks during a portrait unveiling ceremony for former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, at the Pentagon, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walk to the chamber after collaborating on an agreement in the Senate on a two-year, almost $400 billion budget deal that would provide Pentagon and domestic programs with huge spending increases, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) **FILE**

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

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., praises the Republican tax reform bill during an enrollment ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ** FILE **

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

In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, lights illuminate the U.S. Capitol on second day of the federal shutdown as lawmakers negotiate behind closed doors in Washington. The era of trillion-dollar budget deficits is about make a comeback _ and a brewing budget deal hastened the arrival. Lawmakers are inching closer to a two-year, budget-busting spending pact that would give whopping budget increases to both the Pentagon and domestic programs have been inching closer to an agreement, according to aides and members of Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

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 Budget Committee Chairman Steve Womack, Arkansas Republican, said overhauling the budget process is among his top priorities and that a balanced budget remains the goal. (Associated Press/File)
 **FILE**

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

President Donald Trump arrives at Greenbrier Vally Airport, in Lewisburg, WVa., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, to speak at the 2018 House and Senate Republican Member Conference at The Greenbrier. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the Republican Conference chairman in the Senate, waits to do a TV news interview at the Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ** FILE **

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

Vice President Mike Pence reacts after speaking at TKO Graphix, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Plainfield, Ind. Pence meet with local business leaders to discuss the need for tax reform. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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