Senate Democrats Draw the Line on Funding

Members of the Democratic leadership in the Senate are urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to carefully consider what will be included in the essential government funding bill that must pass next month, warning that they would shut down the government if any “poison pills” – such as funding for the proposed border wall – are included.

"We believe it would be inappropriate to insist on the inclusion of such funding in a must-pass appropriations bill that is needed for the Republican majority in control of the Congress to avert a government shutdown so early in President Trump’s Administration," wrote Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Federal agencies are currently operating under a continuing resolution (CR) that runs out on April 28th. At that point, Congress must pass another CR or an omnibus spending bill to fund the government through September.

“We hope our Republican colleagues will work with us in a bipartisan way so that the appropriations process meets the needs of the American people,” said Schumer. He added that if controversial priorities were included in the bill, “[Republicans] will be shutting down the government and delivering a severe blow to our economy.”

Other signatories on the letter included Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

The letter also noted that these Democrats could not support a proposal that included defunding Planned Parenthood, rolling back environmental protections and restricting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.