Congress, White House close in on spending bill, tax package

Source: AP

By ERICA WERNER and ANDREW TAYLOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional negotiators and the White House closed in on a deal late Monday on a $1.1 trillion government-wide spending bill to stave off a shutdown, and a tax package extending dozens of breaks.

In a Monday evening conference call among House Republicans, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said bargainers were close to agreements on the spending and tax measures that he expected to publicly release Tuesday, which would set up votes later in the week. He said the bills would contain victories for both parties but provided few details, according to an official who described the private conversation on condition of anonymity.

A GOP push to lift the four-decade-old ban on exporting crude oil emerged as a negotiating point in final talks. In return, Democrats sought various environmental concessions, including extending tax credits for solar and wind energy production for five years, and reviving an environmental conservation fund. Democrats also were trying to block GOP efforts to roll back Obama administration environmental regulations, with Democratic lawmakers who traveled to the Paris climate talks returning energized to fight.

"It's like they all went to an international pep rally and got all this emotional wind at their back," GOP Rep. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said in a phone interview.

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FILE - In this May 9, 2012 file photo, a drilling rig is seen near Kennedy, Texas. The four-decade-old ban on exporting crude oil may end up getting lifted in a must-pass year-end spending bill lawmakers are scrambling to complete. Lifting the ban is a top ask for GOP negotiators working on the sprawling legislation. In return, Democrats are seeking various environmental priorities, including making permanent tax credits for solar and wind energy production. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ff436dc26aa04f86a2ef16584b29ec92/oil-export-ban-play-final-stage-talks-budget-deal