Democrats say they won’t accept the stopgap funding bill Republicans unveiled Tuesday, further increasing the chances of a government shutdown Oct. 1.
“The House Republican-only spending bill fails to meet the needs of the American people and does nothing to stop the looming healthcare crisis,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement, pledging to propose their own continuing resolution, or CR, that ties in an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies.
But in order to keep their leverage to force Republicans back to the negotiating table, Democratic leaders need to minimize defections — and purple-district lawmakers could take political heat if they vote against a government funding patch.
Frontline Democrats are set to huddle Wednesday morning with Jeffries to discuss their options, according to two people granted anonymity to share details about a private meeting. Reps. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.) and Don Davis (D-N.C.) are expected to press Democratic leaders during the meeting to push for any CR to include funding for local law enforcement efforts, as outlined in a letter shared first with Inside Congress.
So far, many at-risk Democrats are noncommittal. “I don’t know how I’m voting on it right now,” Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.), who holds a leadership position representing battleground lawmakers.
Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, the only House Democrat who voted for the GOP’s last CR in March, didn’t answer when asked if he would support Republicans’ latest plan.
Even if House Democrats stick together and vote in opposition, House Republicans can lose only two of their own members with full attendance — and GOP Rep. Warren Davidson (Ohio) signaled his hesitance Tuesday. But Speaker Mike Johnson is working to lock in his rank-and-file before a vote as soon as Thursday, and many appear to be getting in line. One Freedom Caucus member granted anonymity to speak candidly, when asked about the CR prospects, made a remark to POLITICO that would normally be surprising: “I think we’re all fine.”
Across the Capitol, everyone is watching the 10 Senate Democrats who this spring defied their base’s demands to reject the GOP funding bill and instead helped Republicans overcome a procedural hurdle to avert a shutdown. Progressives are warning Democratic lawmakers even more loudly this time not to cave.
Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz — expected to be the No. 2 Senate Democrat in the next Congress — was one of the 10 lawmakers to vote against a shutdown. But now he’s showing a change in tune.
“Trump said yesterday that he doesn’t need to work with Democrats. If that’s the case I wish him the best,” Schatz said in a post on X. “I’m a no.”
What else we’re watching:
— Monarez takes the stand: Susan Monarez, the former CDC director who was fired by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will testify Wednesday before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions panel after an invitation from Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.). She is expected to say she was shown the door for refusing to comply with the administration’s demands and pre-approve vaccine recommendations without scientific evidence.
— Patel is back: House Judiciary will hear testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel on Wednesday morning. It comes after his testimony Tuesday in front of Senate Judiciary devolved into a shouting match at one point.
Nicholas Wu, Meredith Lee Hill and Sophie Gardner contributed to this report.
