In a blatant attempt to force their radical agenda onto the American people, House and Senate Democrats have just two weeks to find a way to fund the government past December 16.
If they can’t convince Republicans to expand federal spending in some areas as part of a full-year “omnibus” spending bill, they may be forced to level-fund the government.
Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, has expressed her “strong preference” for passing a bill providing money for the rest of fiscal year 2023. However, she admitted that this may not be possible and that a “continuing resolution” that maintains current funding levels might be the only option.
While House Democrats can pass whatever spending they like as long as they stick together, legislation that only focuses on Democratic priorities would likely get held up in the Senate, where 10 Republicans are needed to pass a bill.
Senate Republicans are facing increasing pressure not to accept any full-year funding bill and to wait until Republicans take control of the House next year. Last week, Senators Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, Rick Scott of Florida, and Mike Braun of Indiana told Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, to reject an omnibus bill and wait until the GOP takes control of the House.
In a letter to McConnell, they wrote: “We believe it would be both imprudent, and a reflection of poor leadership, for Republicans to ignore the will of the American people and rubber stamp an omnibus spending bill that funds 10 more months of President Biden’s agenda without any check on his reckless policies that have led to a 40-year high in inflation.”
These sorts of pressures will make it difficult for leaders on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to work out possible outlines for an omnibus spending bill and could even make it difficult to agree to a year-long continuing resolution.
Some Republicans are already unhappy that Republican leaders are working with Democrats in any way on a spending deal. Representative Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, tweeted: “Senate GOP leadership is working overtime to try to pass an omnibus spending bill in collusion with Democrats rather than a short-term continuing resolution… right after joining with Democrats to undermine marriage & religious liberty.”
It’s clear that House and Senate Democrats are trying to push through their radical agenda and force their spending priorities onto the American people. It’s up to Republicans to stand strong and reject their attempts to expand federal spending and impose their will on the country.
