House Democrats have made it clear that they are standing firm in the face of Republican demands following the collapse of a year-end spending bill crucial for government funding. The Democrats emerged from a closed-door caucus meeting on Thursday, emphasizing their unwillingness to yield to pressure from President-elect Donald Trump and his allies.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top House Democratic appropriator, highlighted the extensive bipartisan efforts that went into crafting the now-defunct deal. She pointed out that the responsibility ultimately lies with the GOP, as they controlled the drafting and posting of the bill.
Progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal criticized the Republican push to include raising the debt limit in the negotiations, labeling it as 'ridiculous.' She accused the Republicans of attempting to introduce new elements into an already agreed-upon deal to fund the government.
Rep. Veronica Escobar expressed skepticism about the possibility of a deal between House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker Mike Johnson. She suggested that Speaker Johnson may not have the full support of his own party, hinting at external influences such as Elon Musk impacting Republican decision-making.
Rep. Hillary Scholten, representing a battleground district in Michigan, emphasized the importance of compromise while staying true to Democratic values. She pointed to the negotiated bill as a compromise that Democrats were willing to support.
Retiring Rep. Dan Kildee reflected on the situation, describing it as an unexpected turn of events. He humorously remarked that the timing of his departure coincided with the unfolding events, suggesting a whimsical twist of fate.
