Hoyer, House Democratic Leaders Call on Speaker Boehner to Begin Bipartisan Budget Negotiations, Avert Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (D-CA), and Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner urging him to immediately begin bipartisan budget negotiations to produce appropriations bills that end the draconian cuts of the sequester and invest in better infrastructure and bigger paychecks for American families.

As the Leaders wrote, “Last week, the Senate made clear it will not proceed with House Republicans’ Defense Appropriations bill or any of the other unacceptably damaging appropriations bills from the House.  The President has been very clear that he will veto these appropriation bills, and House Democrats have consistently proven that we have the votes to sustain these vetoes.”

“For too long, the draconian cuts of the sequester have strangled our investments to keep America Number One in the global economy and to ensure our national security.  We must find a balanced and fiscally responsible way to lift the sequester and invest in a stronger defense, better infrastructure and bigger paychecks for America’s hard-working families,” the Leaders continued.   

Below is the full text of the letter:

June 23, 2015

The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515                                                                                                  

Dear Mr. Speaker,

It is now inescapably clear that House Republicans’ sequester-perpetuating appropriations bills have no path forward, and will lead only to another government shutdown.

Last week, the Senate made clear it will not proceed with House Republicans’ Defense Appropriations bill or any of the other unacceptably damaging appropriations bills from the House.  The President has been very clear that he will veto these appropriation bills, and House Democrats have consistently proven that we have the votes to sustain these vetoes.

For too long, the draconian cuts of the sequester have strangled our investments to keep America Number One in the global economy and to ensure our national security.  We must find a balanced and fiscally responsible way to lift the sequester and invest in a stronger defense, better infrastructure and bigger paychecks for America’s hard-working families.

The September 30th deadline is quickly approaching, and Republicans’ current appropriations strategy is only driving our nation toward another government shutdown.  We urge you to immediately schedule bipartisan budget negotiations so that we can work together to produce appropriations bills equal to the challenges and opportunities before our great country.

Many thanks for your time and attention to this request.

best regards,

NANCY PELOSI
Democratic Leader

STENY H. HOYER
Democratic Whip

JAMES E. CLYBURN
Assistant Democratic Leader 

XAVIER BECERRA
Democratic Caucus Chairman 

JOSEPH CROWLEY
Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman