Top Senate Dems pour cold water on latest GOP spending bill plans: ‘Ready to stay’ through Christmas
Top Senate Democrats, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, have made it clear that they are only willing to move forward on the original stopgap spending bill plan that Republicans recently scrapped. The decision to abandon the initial short-term spending bill came after pressure from billionaire Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump.
Murray emphasized her commitment to staying in Washington D.C. through the Christmas holiday if Republicans do not return to the original spending bill that was previously released. She expressed her determination not to let an unelected billionaire like Musk dictate government decisions. The possibility of a partial government shutdown looms if a bill is not passed in time.
The national debt continues to rise rapidly, reaching over $36 trillion as of Thursday. Murray stressed the importance of upholding the bipartisan agreement that was previously reached, which includes funding for the government, disaster relief, and bipartisan policy reforms. She reiterated the need for both parties to work together to pass the agreed-upon deal without interference from outside influences.
Schumer echoed Murray’s sentiments, urging Republicans to return to the original agreement and pass the bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown. He emphasized the urgency of the situation and called on Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the original bill to the House floor for a vote.
Following backlash from Musk and other critics, Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance also condemned the initial spending bill, leading to its demise. House Republicans are now considering a new CR proposal, but it remains unclear whether negotiations are ongoing across party lines.
Despite the potential for a government shutdown, Murray and other Democrats are prepared to oppose any alternative proposal that deviates from the original agreement. Republicans have also expressed willingness to let the government’s funding expire if a satisfactory deal cannot be reached.
As the deadline looms, Congress must pass a measure that President Biden can sign by midnight Saturday morning to avoid a partial shutdown. The situation remains fluid, with both sides working to find a resolution before the holiday break.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner. Follow Julia’s reporting on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
