Divided House Republicans Struggle Over Budget, Ignore Challenges Facing American People

MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP  

Since Speaker Paul Ryan took the gavel in October, he has repeatedly expressed how important it is for Congress to pass a budget and return to “regular order” through the appropriations process. Yet his conference continues to be deeply divided over whether to adhere to the spending levels that both parties agreed to in the bipartisan budget agreement that was enacted last year. Yesterday, Republican leaders unveiled a budget resolution that includes instructions for an additional $30 billion in spending cuts – which would break last year’s agreement – but the GOP still remains divided over how to move forward.  I continue to urge Speaker Ryan and House Republicans to honor the budget agreement made last year and work with Democrats to responsibly fund the government.

While Republicans struggle with internal division over the budget, GOP leaders had a thin agenda on the House Floor this week. There are many serious, time-sensitive challenges that must be addressed, such as reauthorizing the FAA, addressing the debt crisis in Puerto Rico, providing funding to combat the Zika virus, and helping the city of Flint recover from its drinking water crisis. Each of these issues can and must be addressed in a bipartisan fashion, and I urge Speaker Ryan to work with Democrats to move forward on these issues.

Finally, I strongly disagree with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s declaration that the Senate won’t consider any candidate President Obama puts forward to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. President Obama will be in office for another 11 months, and there is no reason why there should be a Supreme Court vacancy until after the election. I urge Senate Republicans to give whoever President Obama nominates to the Court fair consideration. 

Sincerely yours,

Steny H. Hoyer

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