Democrat leaders warn of government shutdown risk by Freedom Caucus.
The Democratic Leaders Blast House Freedom Caucus’s Demands, Putting Congress at Risk of Shutdown
The Democratic leaders of the House and Senate are strongly criticizing the House Freedom Caucus’s demands for a continuing resolution, warning that it could lead to a government shutdown. The hard-line conservative caucus released a list of three requirements that must be met for their support, including the passage of conservative legislation and addressing concerns about the Justice Department and Pentagon policies.
Contentious Battle and Strong Opposition
This move has intensified the appropriations battle and faces significant opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) took to social media to express his opposition, stating that House Republicans are determined to shut down the government and crash the economy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) echoed this sentiment, warning that a partisan direction with the continuing resolution would result in a “Republican-caused shutdown.”
These demands also pose a challenge for Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). The House has already faced difficulties in passing its appropriations bills due to pushback from both the far-right and centrist wings of the Republican Conference. With members on both ends of the spectrum issuing their own demands, the House had to break for August recess early without reaching an agreement on the agriculture appropriations bill.
A Difficult Path Ahead
Speaker McCarthy had previously acknowledged the challenge of passing all 12 appropriations bills by the September 30 deadline. He anticipated the need for a short-term continuing resolution to provide more time for negotiations. However, the new demands from the Freedom Caucus have made the path to passing a continuing resolution even more difficult. The caucus has made it clear that they will oppose any resolution that does not include their three conservative policies.
It remains to be seen how this appropriations battle will unfold, but it is clear that tensions are high and the risk of a government shutdown looms. Both sides are digging in their heels, setting the stage for a potentially contentious and challenging negotiation process.
Emily Jacobs contributed to this report.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...