JUDY WOODRUFF: On the other end of Pennsylvania
Avenue, Congress returned from recess with
a long to-do list before the end of the year
and the Democrats taking control of the House.
Our Capitol Hill correspondent, Lisa Desjardins,
has been reporting on what Congress is likely
to accomplish.
Hello, Lisa.
LISA DESJARDINS: Hello.
JUDY WOODRUFF: So let's start with the two
things that Congress is looking at as a deadline,
and that is the nation's flood insurance program,
and then funding the government.
Could we be looking at some kind of government
shutdown soon?
LISA DESJARDINS: The truth is, yet again,
we don't know.
The deadline, of course, is a week from Friday.
But let's go over where things stand right
now.
The biggest hitch is over immigration and
the president's demand for more funding for
a border wall.
The president personally -- we can look at
the numbers -- has requested $5 billion in
funding right now for the wall.
Democrats have offered $1.6 billion, not for
a wall, but they say for border security in
general.
There's a difference there.
But talking to sources, Judy, today on the
Hill, on both sides, there is a real belief
that a deal can be made here.
Perhaps Democrats get something they would
love, something on the dreamer population,
those kids brought here illegally as children,
or perhaps some kind of swap for the next
Congress' committee positions, those kinds
of things.
There is a lot of optimism that a deal can
be made.
But we will see.
It's up to the president, more than anyone
else.
JUDY WOODRUFF: So, we know, and you were telling
us, that they're running out of time.
But the Republicans have their wish list,
and this is as they are facing the point in
January when Democrats take over the House.
LISA DESJARDINS: I'm going to try to tick
through some very big items that they have
a little bit of time to get through, Judy.
And the three of them are -- to give people
kind of a road map here -- Saudi Arabia.
There is a lot of concern from both parties
about where things stand there.
There's also another issue, criminal justice
reform, and then finally the Mueller investigation.
So, a little bit more on each now, Judy.
On Saudi Arabia, we could see a vote as soon
as tomorrow on a resolution from Bernie Sanders
of Vermont, the independent, who he would
like the U.S. to stop its support of Saudi
Arabia in Yemen.
Unlikely to pass, but even if it gets a vote,
that's a sign that things are changing.
And there could be another vote later on about
arms sales to the Saudis.
So then you move to criminal justice reform.
A bill that could change sentencing laws and
the power that judges have is moving through
the Senate and it's getting more and more
support.
Republicans think this might be its last chance.
They think a House run by Democrats next year
would think -- would not like this bill.
They would want to go farther.
So watch for the next two weeks to see if
criminal justice reform makes it through.
JUDY WOODRUFF: The president very much behind
that.
LISA DESJARDINS: That's right, exactly.
And that's another reason they want to do
it right now.
There are more Republicans getting on board
right now.
We don't know if it's enough.
Finally, on the Mueller investigation, news
today from Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority
leader.
He is open to allowing a vote on a bill that
would protect Robert Mueller's investigation
and limit who could fire Mr. Mueller.
This has to do with Senator Jeff Flake, who
has withheld his vote on other things to try
and get this.
It's unclear if that would pass.
But, again, we're seeing a lot of these big
issues coming up very fast.
JUDY WOODRUFF: A lot of big issues.
LISA DESJARDINS: Yes.
JUDY WOODRUFF: And, finally, something we
have been reporting on just a few minutes
ago, Lisa, and that is the California wildfires.
LISA DESJARDINS: Right.
As part of the farm bill, a massive, sweeping
bill, the very last hitch in that negotiation
has to do with forestry requirements.
Conservatives are asking for new rules that
would allow more clearing of land.
Democrats say that's just a boon to logging
companies and would allow over-logging.
Conservatives say, no, it would help prevent
wildfires.
As we speak, that is a hitch they're trying
to work out to see if an entire farm bill
will be passed or not.
JUDY WOODRUFF: But that's a big issue.
LISA DESJARDINS: Yes.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Now, when does Congress go
home?
LISA DESJARDINS: OK.
JUDY WOODRUFF: What's the expectation?
LISA DESJARDINS: Supposedly, in three weeks
is when they would like to leave.
It's a lot to do in that time.
It's possible.
They really only work on deadlines, after
all, right?
(LAUGHTER)
LISA DESJARDINS: So...
JUDY WOODRUFF: You could say that about a
lot of us.
LISA DESJARDINS: Well, us, too.
That's true.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Lisa Desjardins, thank you.
LISA DESJARDINS: You're welcome.
