The impasse over government funding doesn’t extend to must-pass defense legislation, which the Senate passed last night.
Lawmakers opted to include several standalone measures, including language that would lift sanctions on Syria (and require a subsequent report), revamp housing regulations, and scrutinize investments in China.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., lifted her opposition to the last proposal after senators assured her they would address technical concerns raised by Microsoft — one of her state’s largest employers — when they merge their bill with the House’s, a person familiar with the talks told Semafor.
“The substance [will remain] the same: to increase transparency in terms of outbound investments into the PRC that develop weapons [and] help grow their economy,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said.
Senators may have a harder time getting aligned with House Republicans, who passed their bill without the China proposal, in hopes of handing President Donald Trump a negotiating tool.