The main Democrats of the House and the Senate of the United States are instant by Republicans to unite them to block the efforts of President Donald Trump to freeze funding for Swaths of Government Programs and employees.
So far, GOP leaders in both chambers praise Trump’s actions, although their plan announced on February 4 to close the US Agency for International Development, which manages a portfolio of construction of several One billion dollars and provides hundreds of billions in global humanitarian aid annually: some republican leaders have provoked, including Lisa Murkowski sensitivity from Alaska and Susan Collins, from Maine The hill On February 5.
In an information session of Capitol Hill Press on February 3, Democratic leaders sought the republican support for the recently confirmed Treasury Treasury Secretary to delete Musk, a non -selected civilian, to access private data and information From payroll to federal employees and programs valued in more than $ 6 trillion.
The White House claims that Musk and his team have “read only” privileges, but the Office of Management and Budget Employees that have been forcedly eliminated from their workplace reports that the Tesla Inc. And the founder of Spacex and his team can access democratic legislators in the press informative session, included the Democratic leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) and the vice president of Patty Murray appropriations (D-Wash.) .
Democrats also asked Republicans to join them to deny -confirm controversial candidates such as Tlosi Gabbard, Trump’s selection to run the National Intelligence Office that managed to win by a vote on 4 February, the endorsement of the Senate Intelligence Committee, despite concern for past statements and actions; In addition to Russell Vought, who has also advanced in his candidacy to be Director of Shadow, despite his participation speculated in the Trump Federal Trump Freezing Freezing Controversy, with probable confirmation later this week.
“It is up to the Republicans who are the majority of the congress, who pass these nominations, who are sitting in silence while Elon Musk enters the departments, agencies and taking your information,” said Murray. “Decide if they want to remove the hoses from the heat or sit on the fire.”
But Republican leaders so far have not indicated that Trump will cross. In a statement of February 3, the president of the house Mike Johnson (r-la.) Praised his orders and executive plans of Trump. “We are excited about everything that President Trump is achieving,” he said. Collins, who now voted against the Secretary of Defense Confirmed Pete Hegseth and is considered a Most Moderate Senate GOP legislator, said his support for Gabbard,
Rates: Here today, tomorrow missing
In addition to the level of uncertainty in Washington, the Trump rates are proposed in Canada, Mexico and China, which announced a Saturday, February 1. Then it stopped two days later the scheduled 25% of Imports of Canada and Mexico, after talks with leaders in these countries, but the 10% China rate is maintained, generating retaliation taxes On February 4 in North -American Imports directed.
Sarah Martin, associate director of the Dodge Construction Network forecast, says that with 70% of soft wood imports and the imports of Gypsum from Canada and Mexico, housing builders would be most affected by rates, if And when they are charged. But non -residential industry companies will also have negative impacts if the rates are executed, according to her, it is more vulnerable to the interruptions in the supply chain and the shortage of materials.
“Given that the rates are still expected to be imposed, even if they are postponed, I think the risks remain the same,” says Martin. “It can give companies some time to mitigate the risks, but the uncertainty around the duration of the rates will remain at high levels will probably be the biggest factor” to decide when and how to change their strategy.
The CEO of Builders and Associate Contractors, Mike Bellaman, says that Trump “has been transparent” about his intention to use rates as a tool for negotiating “American critical priorities”, including more use of products manufactured in states. United.
He acknowledges that the rates will increase an increase in the costs of construction services, which could lead to less beginnings of the project, but claims that the members of the group “understand the context” for them and know how to plan and deal with the rates and other interruptions. of the supply chain. ,
