Schumer: House funding bill could pass Senate if it got a vote
By Jordain Carney - 01/03/19 07:04 PM EST
Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Thursday that a House package to fully reopen the government could pass the Senate—if Republicans would give it a vote.
"Once the House passes these two bills, Leader [Mitch] McConnell should put them on the floor, where I believe they will receive strong bipartisan majorities. It's going to be very hard for a lot of Republicans to vote no on the same bills they supported just a few months ago," Schumer said.
The House is expected to pass its plan to reopen roughly 25 percent of the government later Thursday. One bill would fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 8. The second bill would include funding for the remaining six appropriations measures through Sept. 30.
Democrats argue Republicans should easily be able to support the six bills unrelated to DHS funding because they largely mirror legislation that was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee last year. Senate Democrats blasted out emails to reporters on Thursday highlighting previous GOP support for the legislation.
But McConnell has said he will not "waste time" by bringing up the House package given President Trump's opposition. The White House issued a formal veto threat on Thursday.
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https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/423796-schumer-house-funding-bill-could-pass-senate-if-it-got-a-vote
