Washington, DC – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar held a press conference to highlight that House Democrats remain united in opposition to the far-right Republican funding bill.

LEADER JEFFRIES: House Democrats remain strongly opposed to the partisan Republican spending bill that will hurt families, hurt veterans, hurt seniors and hurt the American people. It is a false choice that Donald Trump, Elon Musk and House Republicans have been presenting between their reckless and partisan spending bill and a government shutdown. Why are we here right now in terms of the moment that is in front of us? It’s because Donald Trump and House Republicans decided to walk away from the negotiating table when there were bipartisan conversations ongoing between House Democrats, House Republicans, Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans in a manner consistent with the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act that was passed in May of 2023.

Donald Trump ordered House Republicans to walk away from the negotiating table at the end of February. House Republicans then passed a partisan and reckless bill that cuts funding for healthcare, cuts funding for veterans and cuts funding for nutritional assistance to children and families. It’s an unacceptable, unconscionable and un-American spending bill. That’s why House Democrats remain strongly opposed. Donald Trump orders them to walk away from the negotiating table—step one. Step two—House Republicans passed a partisan and reckless spending bill. And then step three—House Republicans get out of town. Where are they at right now? House Democrats are here. We’re ready to pass a four-week spending bill that keeps the government open and will allow the House and the Senate to negotiate an actual agreement that meets the needs of the American people. But we do not support a bill that is designed to hurt the American people that Donald Trump and far-right extremist Republicans are trying to jam down the throats of everyday Americans.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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