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WASHINGTON House Republicans had planned to finally introduce a budget Wednesday already months behind schedule but then announced they are punting to July because they cant reach agreement on spending levels overall and cuts to food stamps specifically.

A further delay on a budget bill could forfeit much of the Republican agenda. They need the spending outline in order to be able to use a parliamentary procedure called budget reconciliation, which would allow them to do tax reform with only 50 votes in the Senate. So if they cant agree on how much to cut food stamps, they wont be able to cut taxes a priority for Republican leadership.

Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) is the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, which reauthorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program every five years as part of a farm bill that also includes agribusiness subsidies. For weeks, Conaway has been trying to prevent Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.), chairwoman of the House Budget Committee, from including massive SNAP cuts in her budget. Blacks committee has been floating the prospect of significant spending reductions since May.

Conaway said Friday that they had a deal, though neither he nor Black would reveal any specifics.

I will leave it to them to discuss the details of their budget when they are ready, Conaway said in a statement. What I will say is that I am very confident that the agreement we have reached will give the Agriculture Committee the flexibility it needs to craft a farm bill that works for all of our various stakeholders.

If Conaway is on board, that suggests Black has agreed to relatively modest reductions to programs under the Agriculture Committees jurisdiction. She has been seeking $200 billion in cuts overall, which would be spread across an array of unspecified programs.

A spokesman for Black said only that the chairwoman is committed to getting a budget done next month. Its the strongest possible step to achieving real deficit reduction, strengthening our military and beginning the tax reform process, Budget Committee spokesman William Allison said.

Conaway has been holding hearings for next years reauthorization since 2015 and has kept his policy plans a secret.

One reason Black would want to cut SNAP in her budget, aside from the fact that many Republicans consider cutting SNAP good policy, is that the reduced safety net spending can be used to offset the budgetary effect of other Republican priorities, such as more military spending and less taxes.

Over the years, SNAP has essentially been an ATM machine for Republicans so they can pay for increases in defense spending and tax cuts, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) told HuffPost.

About 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits, down from a peak of 47 million in 2013. The aid can be used only to buy food at grocery stories and markets. Experts have credited it for helping eradicate starvation in the U.S., but the program, one of the federal governments biggest safety nets, has nevertheless been a frequent target of Republican criticism. An overlooked detail is that SNAP spending has been declining and that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office expects enrollment to fall to 32 million by 2025.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, laid into Conaway this week for his refusal to go along with Black and the conservative House Freedom Caucus in their quest to cut food stamps.

Chairman Conaways apparent unwillingness to cut a paltry amount of federal spending from his committee is a slap in the face to American taxpayers and jeopardizes historic tax reform, Dan Holler, the vice president of Heritage Action, the lobbying arm of the think tank, said in a statement.

In response, Conaway told reporters that he considered the people at Heritage advocates for raising the cost of food for the most vulnerable in our society for years.

The Trump administration earlier this year proposed a steep 27 percent cut to SNAP as part of an overall budget that would give states more freedom to set stringent eligibility standards. Such a policy would be similar to what House Republicans and President Bill Clinton did when they reformed Aid to Families with Dependent Children in 1996, leaving the welfare program a shell of its former self.

We believe that welfare reform should be part of any reconciliation instructions, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, told HuffPost on Monday.

Politico reported Thursday that moderate Republicans are strongly opposed to Blacks draft budget. The moderates could potentially prevent it from passing the House.

The House approved its Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill earlier this year only after party leaders caved to demands from the Freedom Caucus to make the bill more conservative. Going the conservative route on food stamps in 2013, however, didnt work Republican leaders added a bunch of amendments on the House floor only to see their policy ideas thwarted when the House farm bill merged with the Senate version.

Ive been through the SNAP wars. Its a painful process, Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), the former chairman of the Agriculture Committee, told HuffPost. If you use [the Agriculture Committee] as a cash cow for something else, that wont generate good policy.

Matt Fuller contributed reporting.

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Food Stamps Are Holding Up The Republican Agenda - HuffPost

To President Trump, his social media habits have been vindicated by the fact that he won the 2016 election, and is now accusing "fake news" of attempting to turn his party against his tweets.

He said as much on Saturday, following a wave of criticism over his controversial tweets about "Morning Joe" co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.

"The FAKE & FRAUDULENT NEWS MEDIA is working hard to convince Republicans and others I should not use social media - but remember, I won...the 2016 election with interviews, speeches and social media. I had to beat #FakeNews, and did. We will continue to WIN!", he said in a pair of tweets Saturday afternoon. He added later: "My use of social media is not Presidential it's MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL. Make America Great Again!"

Trump's latest string of tweets has prompted another round of debate on his tweeting habits. Many journalists and politicians on both sides of the aisle say Trump has gone too far and should pare back the tweeting.

On Thursday the feud began when Trump called out the hosts, striking a nerve with many for claiming that he saw Brzezinski at the Mar-a-Lago around New Year's Eve, and that she was "bleeding badly from a face-lift." In response, Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Ben Sasse said this was "beneath" Trump's office.

Meanwhile Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker argued that Trump should "tweet more," but stay more on message to promote his administration's policies.

After Trump tweeted earlier in the day about Scarborough and Brzezinski, CNN's Jake Tapper implored Trump to focus on more important issues than personal feuds, like the military, famine in Africa and the opioid crisis in the U.S. Trump to this day calls CNN, among others, names like "fake news" and "garbage."

Trump's controversial tweeting habits are nothing new, and the president's often combative personality extends beyond the confines of Twitter, as was exhibited in interviews and speeches during the campaign. For example, when he alarmed many with his comment about then-Fox News host Megyn Kelly "blood coming out of her wherever" following a contentious debate exchange.

Trump has been criticized by Scarborough and Brzezinski on their show and White House deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters this week that the president has been "attacked mercilessly on personal accounts" by people on "Morning Joe" and added that Trump has made it "clear that when he gets attacked he's going to hit back."

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Trump blames media for angling to 'convince' Republicans and others to silence him on Twitter - Washington Examiner

Local Republicans went against the grain last week to vote against a bill to strip legal notices out of North Carolina newspapers.

I voted no every time it came up, said N.C. Rep. Jeff Collins, R-Nash.

The bill would have allowed local governments across the state to publish legal and public notices on their websites instead of paying newspapers to print the information.

Collins said the bill wasn't given enough study.

It came up too fast, Collins said. I'm not sure how changes would affect newspapers. I'm worried about the small weekly papers. They have good business models because they've been around a long time. I want to know what will happen to those newspapers.

When Republicans were unable to win N.C. House approval for statewide changes, a comprise bill focusing on Guilford County was approved. That bill passed the Senate 32-14 and the House by 60-53. Collins and N.C. Sen. Rick Horner, R-Wilson, were among a handful of Republicans to vote against the bill.

Horner said he is worried about people going through foreclosure and what newspaper notices can mean to them.

It's not about newspaper revenue or the county saving a dollar, it's about the poor guy losing his home at the courthouse steps, Horner said. It's about Spaulding Building in Spring Hope. As many people as possible should know about public auctions. More people means more money for the taxpayer. Anything else is just political cover.

Horner took a strong stand against the bill when it was on the Senate floor.

Some Republicans were surprised when I stood up against it, Horner said. They were surprised to see a freshman stand up like that. But I do what I think it right for the people. We're here to speak for those with no voice and that's the guy losing his home.

Collins said a lot of fellow Republicans tried to get him to vote in favor of the bill, but there was little push back when he didn't.

There was no grief about it, Collins said. I vote for what I think is the right thing. Ive been here long enough that everyone knows that.

The bill has been sent to the desk of Gov. Roy Cooper. If the bill is made law a test run will be made in Guilford County to allow local governments within the county to run notices on their websites instead of paying newspapers.

The N.C. Press Association said it will continue to fight to ensure access to public notices for everyone, not just those with an internet connection.

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Local Republicans buck party - Rocky Mount Telegram

Less than two months after Bonneville County voters overwhelmingly approved a taxing district to help start and fund a new community college, Republicans in Bingham County are launching an effort to join the district.

The Bingham County Republican Central Committee voted 14 to 1 this week to circulate a petition that would ultimately give voters in the county a chance to decide if they want to be part of the district of the College of Eastern Idaho.

Over (the) next few days members of the Bingham County Central Committee will be going door to door collecting the needed signatures to place the measure on the ballot, said Dan Cravens, chairman of the committee, adding that they need at least 100 verified signatures to hold the vote in November.

The petition states, We, the undersigned citizens and qualified electors of the State of Idaho, in and for Bingham County, respectfully petition the Board of Trustees for the College of Eastern Idaho that Bingham County in its entirety join the Community College District for the College of Eastern Idaho.

Cravens said they are looking for volunteers to help circulate the petition and assist in future campaign efforts. For more information, people can contact the Bingham County Republican Central Committee at collegeforbingham@gmail.com.

While Bonneville County needed a two-thirds majority vote to launch the district and community college, Bingham County would only need a simple majority vote to join it, Cravens said.

Rick Aman, president of Eastern Idaho Technical College (EITC) in Idaho Falls, which will become the College of Eastern Idaho, is thrilled that another county is expressing interest in joining the district.

Im very excited to hear that Bingham County is showing this level of interest this early, he said.

Although Aman has heard some talk from other counties, Bingham is the only one hes aware of that is moving forward with efforts to join the district.

Cravens estimates that joining the district would cost the average homeowner between $11 and $12 a year. But he says there are many benefits to doing so.

Joining the district would give Bingham County some say in the programs that will be offered at the college, Cravens said. It could also open doors to bringing courses into Bingham County.

Cravens believes its important to provide more educational opportunities in Bingham.

Bingham Countys educational attainment lags behind the nation and state, he said.

A community college will give high school students more access to dual enrollment classes and provide some additional help for those who need more time to prepare for a four-year university. In addition, Cravens said a community college will help people to begin their education at a more affordable cost.

The committee feels strongly that being included in the new district will help both youth and older residents continue their educations and gain new job-related skills, Cravens said. We also feel that being part of the district will benefit the overall level of educational attainment in the county, and help economic development efforts to attract new employers.

Employers tend to be more interested in areas that have a skilled and talented workforce, Cravens said.

Joining the community college district could also save Bingham County a lot of money.

Currently, Bingham will have to pay $50 per credit hour, up to 10 credits per semester, for each local student who attends the College of Eastern Idaho because the county is outside of the district, Cravens said. But if its part of the district, Bingham would be exempt from that fee.

As Bingham County Republicans begin their campaign to join the community college district, Aman says efforts to open the college in Bonneville County are also moving forward.

He expects the Idaho State Board of Education will soon name the community colleges five trustees. There were 54 applicants.

A lot of people are interested in serving, Aman said.

EITC is also in the process of getting approval to add two new degrees an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science to make it possible for students who attend the future college to transfer their credits to other schools.

Aman says they want to have a soft opening this fall, just months after voters approved plans to create the college. That fast turnaround is possible partly because EITC is already accredited and has buildings already in place.

If this can work in August, it would be about 100 days. Thats a phenomenal speed when it comes to post-secondary education, Aman said.

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Republicans campaigning to add Bingham County to new community college district - Idaho State Journal

A water quality rule that many conservatives viewed as federal government overreach is being rescinded, drawing applause from Iowas top elected Republicans.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency this week proposed a rule to eliminate what has become known as the waters of the U.S. rule. Implemented under former President Barack Obama, the rule was designed to protect water sources from pollution by defining which fall under the EPAs jurisdiction.

Opponents called the proposal an overreach and claimed the federal government would seek to regulate puddles, an assertion Obama administration officials disputed.

This week, President Donald Trumps administration proposed to rescind the rule.

We are taking significant action to return power to the states and provide regulatory certainty to our nations farmers and businesses, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt said in a statement. This is the first step in the two-step process to redefine waters of the U.S. and we are committed to moving through this re-evaluation to quickly provide regulatory certainty, in a way that is thoughtful, transparent and collaborative with other agencies and the public.

In Iowa, top elected Republicans gave the announcement a warm greeting.

Gov. Kim Reynolds framed the new administrations action as an example of what she has said on numerous other occasions regarding other issues: that the Obama administration was not a willing partner with states. (It bears noting, of course, that Reynolds is a Republican and Obama a Democrat.)

Waters of the United States was a significant and severe case of government overreach by the Obama administration. I want to thank Sec. Pruitt for recognizing that (the rule) forced onerous and unnecessary burdens on Iowas farmers and businesses, Reynolds said. I also want to express my appreciation to the Trump administration for its continuing commitment to work with states, not against them.

Iowas Republican U.S. senators, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, both praised the new administrations action while reminding Iowans that they encouraged the Trump administration to rescind the rule.

All across Iowa, folks are calling for this rule to be scrapped, which is why I have led efforts in the Senate to do just that, Ernst said. This is good news for Iowa and rural communities across the country as we move closer to finally eliminating this overreaching rule.

Said Grassley, Having the federal EPA and the Corps of Engineers require permits for routine land use decisions is a waste of resources that are better used enforcing existing regulations against discharging pollutants into the nations waterways. Agencies ought to enforce the laws as Congress intended, not stretch beyond their authority to inflict unnecessary expense and red tape on law-abiding farmers and employers.

Reynolds Pitches Iowa to Trump

Reynolds this week also visited Washington, D.C., and was awarded the opportunity to speak to President Trump and several agency heads, her office said in a news release.

The governor also was able to attend a ceremony honoring the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs. A photo of Reynolds and Cubs players Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Eddie Butler was posted on the governors Twitter account.

Reynolds, according to her office, discussed renewable energy and Iowas diversified energy portfolio with energy secretary Rick Perry; explained to budget director Mick Mulvaney the importance of the ethanol mandate; and talked about high-speed internet expansion with Anne Hazlett, who heads a rural development program in the agriculture department.

Guns split sheriffs and supervisors

In conservative northwest Iowa, a few county supervisors and the sheriff are at odds over whether to ban firearms in the Woodbury County Courthouse.

A new law passed earlier this year by the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature strengthened the state law that says local governments cannot supersede state law in banning weapons in public spaces. The new law permits citizens who feel adversely affected to legally challenge a local government over its public building gun ban.

The new law carved out space for judges to continue banning weapons in the courtroom.

But on June 19, just a few weeks before the new state law would go into effect, the Iowa Supreme Court issued an order stating firearms will not be allowed across the state in any courtroom, court-controlled spaces or public spaces in courthouses.

In Woodbury County, supervisors recently repealed the local ban on weapons in the courthouse, citing the new state law.

But Sheriff David Drew said his office will continue to enforce the weapons ban, citing the Supreme Court order.

The two sides have accused each other of playing politics with the issue. Sheriff Drew and the two supervisors who voted to repeal the ban all are Republicans.

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Republicans hail end of EPA water rule - Sioux City Journal