Congressional Democrats are under intense pressure to stop President Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from putting a blow torch to the United States Government. Thursday, Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock each announced they’ll vote no on the House Budget proposal.
“I will oppose the House budget proposal,” said Senator Ossoff in a statement. “The best available solution is a 30-day stopgap funding measure to avoid a shutdown, during which time Congress can do its job to properly pass a bipartisan budget.”
Ossoff believes the House bill also ‘irresponsibly fails to impose any constraints on the reckless and out-of-control Trump Administration.’
“The Administration is gutting the CDC and the VA while destabilizing the economy,” Ossoff continued. “Both parties in Congress must fulfill our Constitutional obligation to check the President.”
Meanwhile, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock says he will vote no on the House’s proposal.
“The entire conversation around government funding is Washington at its worst,” Warnock said. “I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that increases costs for Georgians, defunds care for service members, and slashes investments in education and health care. I am voting NO on the partisan funding bill.”
How did we get here?
The House passed the Continuing Resolution, largely along party lines, on Tuesday. The final tally was 217-213. One Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voted against the measure. Also, one Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, voted for it.
The Senate must pass the measure with 60 votes needed. House Speaker Mike Johnson says Democrats are to blame if the government shuts down at midnight Saturday morning.
“The House has done its job and passed a clean CR to fund the federal government,” Speaker Johnson said. “If Senate Democrats block an up-or-down vote, then it’s crystal clear: they are responsible for the ensuing government shutdown. Period.”
It must be noted, the Republicans have control of Congress and the White House.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said Thursday he would vote to advance debate. However, he is not committed to shutting down the government. Although, he is unsure if the caucus will follow his lead. He said, “each is making his or her own decision.”
“I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country, to minimize the harms to the American people,” said Schumer on Thursday. “Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open, and not shut it down.”