Schumer, Jeffries vow to oppose GOP government funding plan

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) released a joint statement Tuesday vowing to oppose a GOP-crafted bill funding government until Nov. 21, taking Washington a big step closer to a government shutdown.

“The House Republicans-only spending bill fails to meet the needs of the American people and does nothing to stop the looming healthcare crisis,” Schumer and Jeffries said in a joint statement shortly after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) unveiled the 91-page bill.

“By refusing to work with Democrats, Republicans are steering our country straight toward a shutdown,” they warned.

Republicans have described the legislation as a largely “clean” continuing resolution that would keep most funding levels in place until shortly before Thanksgiving.

It meets President Trump’s request to provide $58 million in new funding to increase security for executive branch officials and the Supreme Court. It provides another $30 million to expand security for members of Congress, who usually do not have security details in their home states and districts.

The legislation includes language requested by the White House to allow the District of Columbia to spend tax and other non-federal revenues, a $1 billion pot of money that was frozen by the March continuing resolution.

But it does not extend generous health insurance premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act that are due to expire at the end of the year. Policy experts warn that millions of Americans will see their premiums rise substantially if the subsidies are allowed to lapse.

Schumer and Jeffries also blasted the bill for being put together without signicant Democratic input after Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) did not respond to two written requests from Democratic leaders to hold a “four corners” negotiation to set the framework of the spending bill.

“President Trump called the play last week when he told congressional Republicans to jam a partisan spending bill down the throats of the American people without Democratic support,” Schumer and Jeffries said Tuesday.

“Instead of governing, Republicans are once again taking orders from Donald Trump, hurting the American people and recklessly marching our nation to the brink of a shutdown,” they added.