DEAR COLLEAGUE ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING LEGISLATION

Press Release

"Dear Colleague:

As Members of Congress, it is our central responsibility to fund programs and services that keep our nation safe and that fulfill the needs of the people we are privileged to represent. House Democrats will continue to put people over politics, work with our colleagues to keep the government open and push back against right-wing extremism.

Throughout the chaotic congressional session unleashed by the Republican Conference, House Democrats have made clear that any acceptable continuing resolution must fund the government at the current fiscal year 2023 spending levels as we work to complete the appropriations process under regular order. Second, we have articulated that we will not accept any extreme right-wing policy provisions in connection with funding the government. Third, House Democrats have expressed concern with altering the appropriations process through a so-called laddered continuing resolution that has multiple expiration dates over a period of several months.

At this time, we are carefully evaluating the proposal set forth by Republican leadership and discussing it with Members. While House Republicans have abandoned a laddered funding approach with multiple expiration dates, we remain concerned with the bifurcation of the continuing resolution in January and February 2024. In addition, the failure of House Republicans to address the national security and domestic supplemental funding priorities of the American people is also troublesome.

House Democrats are focused on keeping the government open while urging our Republican colleagues to work together in a bipartisan manner to lower costs, grow the middle class and protect our national security. We will proceed this week through the lens of making progress for everyday Americans by continuing to put people over politics.

Thank you for your continued leadership and unity of purpose."

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