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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has expressed skepticism about the ‘laddered’ approach, deeming it as ‘goofy,’ yet anticipates its approval in the upper chamber.
A greater number of Democrats than Republicans in the US House of Representatives supported a short-term stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. The legislation, proposed by newly-elected Speaker Mike Johnson, involved a “laddered” continuing resolution, with 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans voting for it. This approach aimed to avoid a comprehensive spending bill and instead pass 12 individual spending bills, meeting the preference of right-wing House Republicans.
House Democratic Leadership, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark, and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, endorsed the bill because it adhered to the fiscal year 2023 spending level, lacked significant cuts, and did not include extreme right-wing policy riders. Rep Pramila Jayapal, chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, appreciated the absence of spending cuts in the bill, despite her reservations about the two-part process.
The legislation now advances to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, while expressing some criticisms, indicated openness to the bill. Schumer emphasized the importance of avoiding steep cuts and ensuring defense is addressed in the second part of the laddered approach.
Several Republicans from swing districts and those that supported President Joe Biden voted in favor, citing the necessity of keeping the government operational. Representatives acknowledged Speaker Johnson’s leadership in navigating the legislative process. However, some right-wing Republicans disapproved of the approach, with criticisms centering on the bill not garnering overwhelming Republican support in the House. The bill’s fate now rests with the Senate, where Schumer anticipates a swift passage.
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