More US Money to Combat Famine under Budget Deal

 

Congressional Republicans and Democrats¹ reached agreement on a bill funding the federal government through September 30.

Congress is expected to approve the $1 trillion spending bill later this week. Without congressional action, some American government operations would stop and many federal employees would be forced to stay away from their jobs.

The bill sets spending levels for U.S.-based programs, such as medical research, education and environmental protection. It also sets spending levels for foreign aid.

For example, the bill would provide $990 million to aid the international response to severe food shortages mostly in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.

Almost $7 billion would go to programs that assist refugees and others displaced by conflict. Another $100 million what fund what members of Congress say is countering Russian influence in Europe and South and Central Asia.

The bill would also provide $358 million for international antiterrorism programs. That includes efforts to cut financing for terrorist groups, improve border and airport security and keep materials used for weapons of mass destruction from terrorists.

The bill also provides over $6 billion to address security needs at 275 American embassies and diplomatic offices around the world.

The budget bill accepts some proposals of the administration of President Donald Trump², but not others.

For example, it does not provide money for a wall along the United States border with Mexico.

The bill also does not fund a request from the administration to employ additional immigration control officers. But congressional Republicans said the bill would provide a $1.5 billion “down payment” for improved border security measures proposed by the Trump administration.

However, the bill would raise spending on the U.S. military, as Trump requested. The increase provided in the bill would be $25 billion over the 2016 budget, House Republicans reported.

The bill includes some cuts in international aid requested by the Trump administration. For example, it would cut aid to the United Nations and other international organizations by $640 million.

There was no immediate³ comment by UN officials about the effect of such cuts on its operations.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress negotiated the legislation. Vice⁴ President Mike Pence appeared on “CBS This Morning” Monday to say that President Donald Trump supports the bill.

"We couldn't be more pleased," Pence said. He called the bill a “win for the American people.”

Senator Charles Schumer of New York leads Senate Democrats. He also praised the spending agreement.

He said, “This agreement is a good agreement for the American people, and takes the threat of a government shutdown off the table.” He said the bill removes some proposals opposed by Democrats, such as an “ineffective” wall along the Mexican border.

But the bill would increase spending for programs important to middle class Americans such as medical research and education, Schumer said.

Congressman⁵ Paul Ryan of Wisconsin leads Republicans in the House of Representatives. He holds the powerful position of Speaker of the House.

He said, “America will be stronger and safer because of this government funding bill. It acts on President Trump’s commitment to rebuild our military for the 21st century and bolster⁶ our nation’s border security to protect our homeland.”

Under the bill, some American foreign aid would come with conditions.

For example, the bill would withhold⁷ aid to Pakistan unless the government cooperates with the U.S. to fight terrorism.

Aid to Egypt would require its leaders to continue its current partnership⁸ with the U.S. and continue the nation’s peace treaty with Israel.

The bill also places conditions on continued U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority. The group must show willingness to take steps to reduce violence against Israelis.

Parts of the legislation are aimed at China. One measure would ban processed poultry⁹ from China from being used in the United States Department of Agriculture’s school meal program.

The bill also includes funding to cover costs to New York City and Florida for security for President Trump and his family. Trump’s wife and son have remained in New York City so the son could complete the school year at a city school.

"We are getting what we are owed," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "That's good news for our city and the hardworking police officers…

Words in This Story

funding - v. provided money for programs

counter - v. to do something in defense¹⁰ or in response to something

down payment - n. initial funding on a large project or program

shutdown - n. the act of stopping the operation or activity of a government or business

off the table - phrase meaning that a proposal or project is no longer being considered

commitment - n. a promise to do or give something

bolster - v. to increase

poultry - n. birds such as chickens and ducks that are raised on farms for their eggs or meat

1 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

5 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

6 bolster   

n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励

参考例句：

• The high interest rates helped to bolster up the economy.高利率使经济更稳健。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

7 withhold   

v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡

参考例句：

• It was unscrupulous of their lawyer to withhold evidence.他们的律师隐瞒证据是不道德的。
• I couldn't withhold giving some loose to my indignation.我忍不住要发泄一点我的愤怒。

8 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

9 poultry   

n.家禽，禽肉

参考例句：

• There is not much poultry in the shops. 商店里禽肉不太多。
• What do you feed the poultry on? 你们用什么饲料喂养家禽?

10 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。