Friday, November 7, 2014

Is Ebola Funding One Thing the White House and Congress Can Agree On?

According to National Journal, Tensions are high between the White House and Congress following Tuesday's elections, but the Obama administration is confident it's found one area where Democrats and Republicans can still work together: fighting Ebola.

In a huge scale-up in funding requests, the administration is asking Congress for $6.18 billion in emergency funding for the federal government's Ebola response efforts. And administration officials remain optimistic that a deal will be worked out—fast.

"It's clear to us thus far that this is being taken seriously as an emergency," said Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun Donovan on Thursday. "We've been pleased so far with the engagement seen on both sides of the aisle."

The federal government has already spent $400 million on the Ebola response, and it has committed more than $1 billion. Donovan points to the inclusion of Ebola money in the continuing resolution passed in September as a good sign for a bipartisan agreement on the new funding package during the lame-duck session. The administration is open to whatever vehicle makes sense, he said, but the funding would most likely be included as part of the omnibus bill on Dec. 11.

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