The conservative House Freedom Caucus made clear Tuesday that it has no intention of getting involved in the government’s budget fight and will oppose any stopgap measures designed to avoid a shutdown.
“We have rolled over the debt ceiling. We will not be overthrown again now,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) declared during a press conference.
In late May, Republican negotiators struck a deal with Democrats to increase the nation’s borrowing authority — or debt ceiling — that featured far fewer spending concessions than the Freedom Caucus had sought.
This time, the ultra-conservative bloc is against any stopgap measures to prevent a temporary shutdown while Congress scrambles to fund the government without giving them concessions.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is under intense pressure from his right wing to extract more concessions from Democrats during the government shutdown battle.SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina) speaks during a House Freedom Caucus press conference on Tuesday.C-SPAN
“We are not interested in a continuing resolution that continues the policies and spending of the Biden-Schumer-Pelosi era. We will not vote for it,” Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Penn.) vowed.
Congress is behind in completing more than 12 appropriations bills needed to keep the government open, which is why many members support continuing resolutions or stopgap measures.
But the Freedom Caucus wants to use the need for a stopgap or continuing resolution to extract additional concessions.
The Freedom Caucus held a press conference on Tuesday underlining its staunch opposition to any shutdown.ZUMAPRESS.com
Caucus members ticked off a variety of wish-list items such as additional spending cuts, enhanced border security measures and repeal of the Pentagon’s controversial policy that funds travel for abortions.
Democrats have strongly opposed giving additional concessions to conservatives.
Including Tuesday, the House has 11 legislative days on its calendar for the month. The next fiscal year begins on October 1. Without any action, the government will shut down.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
