The Freedom Caucus released what it called a “Policy Festivus” on Friday, saying its members are “prepared to use all available leverage to change the status quo” amid multiple legislative fights playing out on Capitol Hill. “We will not simply vote ‘no’ on bad legislation and go home for Christmas,” the group warned.
It’s tougher talk from the caucus following a more conciliatory tone in the wake of House Speaker Mike Johnson‘s (R-La.) election to lead the chamber in late October. The group’s “Festivus,” which harkens back to a made-up holiday from “Seinfeld” centered on airing grievances, includes demands around: -
Government funding — “The appropriations topline level must significantly reduce total programmatic spending year-over-year without side deals, gimmicks, or any other mechanism designed to hide the true number”
-
Ukraine aid — The caucus said supplemental aid for Ukraine and other nations, except what the House already approved for Israel, is off the table “unless America’s own border is fully secured with significant and verifiable improvement and the cost is entirely offset”
- Border security — The hardline conservative group said any border security deal must include “all the critical policy provisions” of Republican-backed H.R. 2.
FISA — The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) requires reauthorization at the end of the year. Reupping the controversial government surveillance program should not be considered as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, the caucus said, after Johnson moved to include a short-term FISA extension in the bill.
|
