McCarthy: House may consider border funding, TRIA next week

Incoming House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Thursday that the House may consider bills to provide funding for the border and to reauthorize terrorism risk insurance.

“Members should be prepared for possible consideration of border crisis legislation,” McCarthy said during the weekly floor colloquy with House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) about the upcoming schedule.

{mosads}Hoyer asked if a supplemental appropriations package to address the influx of child migrants crossing the border would include changes to a 2008 trafficking law. The minority whip warned that amending the 2008 law in a way to deport the child migrants from Central America faster would cost Democratic votes and stall passage.

“There is no doubt that will slow down considerably the passing of a supplemental,” Hoyer said. “I urge the Appropriations Committee to report out a clean bill.”

McCarthy argued that an emergency spending package should include policy changes.

“It is the intent that we solve this problem, and solve it for the long term,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy also said the House may consider legislation to extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which provides cities with a financial backstop in the event of a terrorist attack. The Senate passed its version on Thursday by a vote of 93-4. The program will expire at the end of this year absent congressional action.

Additionally, McCarthy said the House will consider a series of tax credit bills, including a measure, H.R. 4935, to overhaul the child tax credit. 

McCarthy said the House will further consider bills under suspension of the rules dealing with human trafficking.