Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer reminded House Republicans on Thursday that the only way to pass a government funding deal is if the two parties work it out, but he didn’t tip his hand on efforts to renegotiate the deal struck this week.
Government funding runs out at the end of Friday absent congressional action. Following demands from President-elect Donald Trump, House Republicans have abandoned plans to pass a 1,547-page bill that extended current government funding levels through March 14 but contained a ton of other unrelated legislation.
Mr. Trump complained that the bill was loaded with “giveaways” to Democrats and demanded a smaller bill shedding most of the extraneous measures while retaining disaster relief funding and economic aid for farmers.
The president-elect is also demanding that an increase in the debt limit be added to the temporary funding extension so the politically perilous issue is dispensed with before he takes office on Jan. 20.
Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, briefly touched on the government funding mess in his daily floor remarks Thursday but didn’t bring up Mr. Trump’s demands.
“This morning, thanks to Republicans, we’re less than 48 hours away from a Christmas shutdown,” the senator said. “Unfortunately, it seems Republicans are in shambles over in the House, but as they try to piece things together, they should remember one thing: The only way to get things done is through bipartisanship. The only way.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, didn’t mention the government funding drama in his daily floor remarks.
