Lawmakers Worry Current Squabbles Bode Poorly for Looming Sequester, Shutdown Fights

As lawmakers stare down yet another series of deadlines for avoiding major spending disruptions at federal agencies, lawmakers are starting to express concern that a lack of progress on more immediate issues is a sign of an inevitable clash later this year. Congress and the White House are currently butting heads over a disaster spending package, which would provide billions of dollars in aid to states and territories devastated by flooding, wildfires and hurricanes. The Trump administration has repeatedly disrupted negotiations, lawmakers in both parties have said, lodging concerns particularly about spending in Puerto Rico.