(DailyChive.com) – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, criticized Republicans for “wasting time” after House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, introduced a plan to prevent a government shutdown.
The plan was announced on Sunday and aims to keep the government funded until December 20. The House is expected to vote on the bill as early as Wednesday. This proposal comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether the government would shut down when the current fiscal year ends on September 30.
In a statement on Sunday evening, Schumer accused Johnson of “following the MAGA way”, referring to the more extreme wing of the Republican Party. He pointed out that bipartisan talks had already been in progress for several days, working toward a deal that would keep the government running.
“I am happy we now have a deal to avoid a shutdown and keep the government funded until December 20,” Schumer said. “But this could have been done two weeks ago if we weren’t distracted by unnecessary political games.”
Schumer’s frustration comes after Johnson tried and failed to pass a more conservative bill last week. That bill would have extended government funding for another six months but was rejected in a 202-220 vote.
In his statement, Schumer emphasized the need for cooperation, saying, “As I have said all along, the only way to get things done in Washington is through bipartisan, bicameral support.”
Meanwhile, Johnson’s plan, which is closer to what Senate Democrats have been asking for, is likely to upset some of the more conservative Republicans in the House, especially the members of the Freedom Caucus. They are expected to oppose this compromise.
The bill also includes $231 million in funding for the U.S. Secret Service, but only if the agency agrees to cooperate with ongoing congressional investigations. However, the proposal leaves out the Republican-backed SAVE Act, which would have required proof of citizenship in the voter registration process. The proposal comes after weeks of tense discussions in Congress.
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