Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said his chamber would seek to pass a continuing resolution free from “poison pills or Republican extremism” to keep the government open ahead of an end-of-the-month deadline.
In a dear colleague letter released Sunday, Schumer said the Senate would seek to avert “a pointless and painful government shutdown” as lawmakers complete what’s scheduled to be their final three weeks in Washington before the fall elections.
Schumer’s path would also place the chamber at odds with the Republican-controlled House’s plan to pass a short-term funding patch that includes a provision requiring proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections, something opposed by President Joe Biden’s White House and key Senate Democrats.
“As I have said before, the only way to get things done is in a bipartisan way,” Schumer said.
“Despite Republican bluster, that is how we’ve handled every funding bill in the past, and this time should be no exception.” Schumer vowed his chamber would also continue to approve “well-qualified judges and nominees” and vowed to pursue bipartisan bills like the annual defense policy bill, “rail safety, lowering the cost of insulin and prescription drugs, and artificial intelligence, among others.” “While we won’t be able to achieve all of these goals before the election, it is my hope that our Republican colleagues will work with us to make as much progress as possible,” the New York Democrat wrote.
The September work sprint comes as Democrats face an uphill battle to maintain their effective 51-seat majority.
A number of incumbents, such as Sens.
Jon Tester (D-Mont.)
and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), face tough races for reelection.
Prior to a deadline at the end of the month, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that his chamber would attempt to pass a continuing resolution devoid of “poison pills or Republican extremism” in order to keep the government open.
Schumer stated in a letter to a dear colleague that the Senate would work to prevent “a pointless and painful government shutdown” as Congress concludes its final three weeks in Washington before the fall elections. The letter was published on Sunday.
Along with being opposed by the White House of President Joe Biden and significant Senate Democrats, Schumer’s path would put the chamber at odds with the Republican-controlled House’s plan to pass a short-term funding patch that includes a provision requiring proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections.
Schumer stated, “As I have said before, working across party lines is the only way to get things done.”. The way we’ve handled every funding bill in the past, regardless of Republican threats, shouldn’t change this time around. “.
Schumer pledged that his chamber would also keep approving “well-qualified judges and nominees” and that they would work toward passing bipartisan legislation addressing issues such as artificial intelligence, rail safety, the yearly defense policy bill, and the cost of prescription drugs and insulin. “.
“Hopefully, our Republican colleagues will collaborate with us to make maximum progress, even though we cannot accomplish all of these objectives prior to the election,” the Democratic senator from New York wrote.
The Democrats are fighting to hold onto their effective 51-seat majority, and this work sprint in September is part of that struggle. Many of the current members, like Sens. Tester, Jon (D-Mont. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and others are up against tough reelection contests.
