Several state legislative GOP caucuses urge Congress to avoid a government shutdown
the article reports that several Republican state legislative caucuses across the United States are urging congress to prevent a government shutdown by fully funding the government. Lawmakers from states including Alabama,Arkansas,Wisconsin,and Utah emphasize the importance of passing a funding bill without including Senate Democrats’ conditions,particularly regarding healthcare reforms,which have stalled the Senate bill. Utah Senate Republicans highlighted the need for a clean funding extension to maintain support for military members, veterans, and low-income assistance programs, warning that a shutdown would disrupt the economy, public safety, and confidence in institutions. Similarly, Wisconsin GOP leaders stated there is no path forward for negotiations that incorporate Democratic demands. Alabama lawmakers stressed the heavy reliance of their state on federal funding, arguing it should not be jeopardized. With the funding deadline approaching, Senate Republicans and Democrats remain divided, especially over healthcare subsidies, with senate Majority leader John Thune open to future discussions but rejecting conditions tied to the government funding bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the Republican proposal for lacking Democratic input.
Several state legislative GOP caucuses urge Congress to avoid a government shutdown
Dozens of lawmakers in state legislatures across the U.S. are urging members of Congress to fund the government and avert a looming government shutdown.
Republican state lawmakers in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Utah, largely called on Senate Republicans to find a way to fund the government without working with Senate Democrats. The Senate bill has been stalled for weeks as it cannot pass with Republican votes alone, and Senate Democrats are holding out for funding reforms to healthcare access to secure their votes.
Utah Senate Republicans, in a letter dated Sunday, told the U.S. Senate to support “a solution on the table that Senate Democrats should support, after all they did vote for this funding extension just six months ago.”
“The clean funding extension provides stability for our military service members, veterans, and their families, as well as the continuity of low-income assistance programs,” Utah Senate Republicans wrote. “Allowing a shutdown would consequently and needlessly disrupt our economies, threaten public safety, and undermine public confidence in our institutions. Our families and communities would feel the pain with immediate effect and confusion.”
In Wisconsin, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Majority Leader Tyler August said there is “no path forward” for Senate Republicans to work with Democratic demands.
“Allowing a shutdown would consequently and needlessly disrupt our economy, threaten public safety, and undermine public confidence in our institutions,” they wrote.
Republican state legislators also pushed the Senate to fund the government by explaining the impacts of a shutdown to their respective states. GOP Legislators in Alabama, which receives 26.7% of its revenue from the federal government, marking one of the largest percentages among the states, argued that a shutdown would disproportionately impact their state.
“The bottom line is that Alabama – like every other state — relies heavily on federal funding to serve its citizens, and these are not chips Congress should be bargaining with,” the letter signed by Alabama House and Senate Republicans, obtained by the Alabama Daily News, read.
Hours ahead of the midnight Tuesday deadline to fund the government, Senate Republicans and Democrats remain far apart from reaching a government funding deal. After a meeting with President Donald Trump Monday and other congressional leaders, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said there remain “very large differences” between the two sides on healthcare.
FEDERAL AGENCIES TOLD TO PREPARE REDUCTION-IN-FORCE PLANS IF GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN
“I think for the first time, the president heard our objections and heard why we needed a bipartisan bill,” Schumer told reporters outside the White House. “Their bill has not one iota of Democratic input.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he is open to discussing the possible extension of federal healthcare subsidies later in the year, but has rejected tying them to a measure to keep the government open.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
