WASHINGTON — A group of 21 House conservatives sent a letter Monday to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy threatening to vote against government funding legislation unless he complies with a series of demands.
The ultimatum by the 21 Republicans is part of a widening battle over a bill that must pass and highlights the challenges McCarthy will face in getting government funding legislation through the GOP-led House, particularly one that can pass the Democratic-controlled Senate and win the presidency. Joe Biden’s signature to become law.
Congress has until September 30 to agree on a bill to fund the government to avoid a shutdown.
The Republicans, led by Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pennsylvania, and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, insisted that Congress spend less than agreed levels in the bipartisan debt limit bill to win their votes.
“We plan to vote against any appropriations bill designed to achieve the maximum spending level of approximately $1.586 trillion, approximately equal to the spending limits agreed to with President Biden in the debt ceiling agreement and representing a Just 1% reduction of egregious post from Democrats. -COVID spending level,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter, which was provided by a Republican aide.
They demanded that funding levels “match” the fiscal year 2022 amount of $1.471 trillion without the use of gimmicks. They called on McCarthy to postpone introducing the 12 government spending bills until they have passed committee. They demanded that he “publicly reject” the possibility of a blanket bill, a large and often last-minute package combining all spending measures, as well as accompanying legislation to boost funding for US aid to Ukraine. .
Conservatives also suggested their demands could be met by having Biden join a Republican border enforcement bill known as HR 2, though no House Democrats backed the legislation. “In the absence of adhering to the $1.471 trillion spending level, and/or achieving significant political victories, such as forcing President Biden to sign HR 2 and taking the necessary steps to secure the border, we see an impossible path to reach 218 votes. Republicans on appropriations or other measures,” the Republicans wrote.
McCarthy’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
The letter does not appear to be an official House Freedom Caucus product and was not printed on HFC letterhead. But it includes many members of the ultra-conservative caucus, including Perry, the president.
The full letter and the signatories can be read below:
