On Tuesday, a significant number of House Democrats might find themselves voting in favor of a funding package, despite a recent commitment from Democratic leaders to avoid assisting Republicans in expediting the bill’s passage.
In recent discussions, House Democrats informed Republican leaders that they would not contribute votes to facilitate the passage of the funding package via a suspension of the rules. This method, which allows for a quicker legislative process, would have required the backing of about 70 Democrats. Consequently, Johnson had to navigate the bill through the Rules Committee. Later in the day, he faces the challenge of maintaining unity within his party for a partisan vote to advance the measure.
Given the slim majority of 218 to 214, Johnson can only afford to lose one vote; a shift of two votes would result in a 216-216 deadlock, causing the rule to fail.
“Republicans have a responsibility to move the rule,” stated Jeffries on Monday, emphasizing that it is unlikely Democrats will assist Republicans by providing votes.
Nevertheless, some Democrats may decide to support the bill during the final vote.
The measure, a product of negotiations between Senate Democrats and the White House, includes a two-week extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security. This extension was a key demand from Democrats, allowing them additional time to negotiate changes to the administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Despite the tight schedule, there is a shared sense of optimism among both Republicans and Democrats about reaching a mutually agreeable resolution.
In a sign that the package could pick up support among Democrats, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said Monday that she plans to support it.
Jeffries said there are a “diversity of perspectives” among the Democratic caucus, while noting that outside of the temporary funds for DHS, there’s “strong” Democratic support for the five bipartisan funding bills that comprise the package.
