House conservatives demand answers before considering stopgap spending measure.
Conservative House Freedom Caucus Demands Answers Before Supporting Stopgap Spending Measure
Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus have taken a firm stance against supporting a stopgap spending measure to avert a government shutdown this weekend. In a letter addressed to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the caucus outlined several pressing questions that must be answered before they even consider backing the measure.
Urgent Questions for Speaker McCarthy
- What is the time frame for the remaining five spending bills?
- Will the House stay in session until all bills are passed individually?
- Will you publicly reject the bipartisan continuing resolution proposal?
- How do you plan to reduce spending levels to reach the negotiated top-line number?
The lawmakers emphasized that they cannot be expected to support a stopgap funding measure without satisfactory answers to these reasonable questions. They expressed their willingness to work in good faith with their colleagues to advance appropriations but expect McCarthy to take the necessary steps to pass the bills, starting with the four currently under consideration.
The House is set to vote on four appropriations bills covering various departments, including Defense, Homeland Security, State and Foreign Operations, and Agriculture. If passed, this would bring the total number of appropriations bills passed by the House to five out of twelve.
While McCarthy’s plan includes a continuing resolution and a temporary spending measure, it faces opposition from hard-line conservatives. Even if the questions are addressed, there may still be enough GOP “no” votes to sink the stopgap measure.
With the deadline approaching, Congress must pass spending legislation by midnight on Sunday to avoid a government shutdown. However, neither the House nor the Senate has made significant progress on their appropriations bills or a stopgap measure, increasing the likelihood of a partial shutdown.
McCarthy intends to bring a temporary spending measure to the floor by Friday, setting a top line at $1.471 trillion. This proposal includes the House’s border security bill and a fiscal commission to address the government’s debt. However, without Democratic support, it is unlikely to pass in the lower chamber.
Meanwhile, the Senate is preparing to vote on a stopgap spending measure negotiated between Republicans and Democrats. This proposal includes disaster funding and Ukrainian aid but is expected to face opposition in the House.
It remains to be seen how these developments will unfold and whether a resolution can be reached before the government runs out of funding.
Source: The Washington Examiner
How does a blanket resolution undermine the necessary scrutiny and oversight for responsible governance?
Ng measure without first receiving satisfactory answers to these questions. They argue that without a clear plan and timeline for passing the remaining spending bills, the House risks rushing through legislation that has not been thoroughly reviewed, potentially resulting in wasteful or inefficient spending.
The conservative House Freedom Caucus has consistently championed fiscal responsibility and limited government intervention. They believe that passing stopgap measures only perpetuates the cycle of overspending and failure to address the root causes of the nation’s fiscal challenges. Therefore, they are demanding concrete plans to reduce spending levels and ensure that all spending bills are individually debated and passed.
One of the key concerns raised in their letter is the bipartisan continuing resolution proposal. The lawmakers ask Speaker McCarthy to publicly reject this proposal, as they argue that it would undermine their efforts to carefully consider each spending bill on its own merits. They believe that a blanket resolution would not allow for the necessary scrutiny and oversight that is essential for responsible governance.
The demand for a clear time frame for the remaining five spending bills is also crucial. Without this information, the House Freedom Caucus feels that their ability to make informed decisions and provide proper oversight is compromised. They argue that rushing through legislation without adequate time for review and debate undermines the principles of transparency and accountability that should be at the core of the legislative process.
Furthermore, the caucus is seeking a commitment from Speaker McCarthy that the House will stay in session until all bills are passed individually. In their view, it is not enough to simply pass a stopgap measure and then move on. They believe that each spending bill deserves its own thorough consideration, and that members of Congress cannot shirk their responsibility to scrutinize and debate the appropriations process.
The conservative House Freedom Caucus’s demands are driven by their commitment to conservative principles and their belief in responsible governance. They argue that these questions must be answered before they can offer their support for any stopgap spending measure. By demanding clarity, accountability, and a commitment to reducing spending, they aim to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently.
In conclusion, the conservative House Freedom Caucus’s firm stance against supporting a stopgap spending measure is based on their demand for answers to pressing questions regarding the remaining spending bills, the rejection of bipartisan continuing resolution proposals, and a commitment to reducing spending. They argue that these requirements are essential for responsible governance and the prudent use of taxpayer dollars. The caucus’s stance highlights the importance of fiscal responsibility and limited government intervention, and serves as a reminder that Congress must uphold these principles in the face of pressing budgetary challenges.
" 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...