Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) reiterated Sunday that Home Democrats are “keen to seek out widespread floor” with Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on laws, together with methods to maintain the federal government funded previous the March 2 deadline.
“My view from the very starting of this Congress is that, as Home Democrats, we’re prepared, we’re keen, we’re ready, to seek out bipartisan widespread floor on any challenge, at anytime, anyplace, with a purpose to make life higher, for the American folks, to handle points associated to the financial system, public security, nationwide safety,” Jeffries mentioned in an interview on “The Cats Roundtable” on WABC 770 AM with host John Catsimatidis that aired Sunday.
“And we must always all the time be keen to do this, and so, Mike Johnson and I converse repeatedly, strive to determine, ‘The place are these locations of commonality?’” he added.
The lawmaker’s feedback come because the Home and Senate are at the moment locked in a battle over international help to Ukraine. The Senate handed a nationwide safety spending package deal that options $60 billion {dollars} in help for Ukraine final week, however Johnson has pushed again in opposition to the bipartisan measure, signaling that he received’t convey it to the Home flooring as a result of it doesn’t have border safety measures included.
“[In] the absence of getting obtained any single border coverage change from the Senate, the Home must proceed to work its personal will on these essential issues,” Johnson mentioned in an announcement. “America deserves higher than the Senate’s established order.”
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) visited Ukraine Friday with a congressional delegation and likewise pressed Johnson to move the invoice.
The Home unveiled their very own laws final week that will mix help for Ukraine and border provisions that Republicans need. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hits two years, a bipartisan group of lawmakers have urged their colleagues to again the invoice.
Congress can also be coping with the prospect of one other authorities shutdown. Johnson on Friday mentioned he would transfer a set of spending payments — as as single package deal — ahead subsequent week, forward of the deadline, based on sources acquainted.
Shutdown drama has divided Congress prior to now, however Jeffries famous that whereas the 2 events might not all the time agree, they need to be capable to work collectively professionally.
“We additionally acknowledge that there will likely be occasions that we might disagree … Nonetheless, I believe we’ve made the choice to conform to disagree with out being unpleasant with one another,” he mentioned.
“In Washington, we want much less chaos, and extra widespread sense,” Jeffries added.
