House conservatives are setting the stage for what is likely to be another high-profile government spending showdown just days ahead of a scheduled shutdown and federal agencies are set to lapse in funding.
Republicans in the House Freedom Caucus released a list of policies they want to see in spending negotiations when Congress returns to session next week, pushing for a one-year stopgap spending bill if those demands are not met.
"There are MANY other policies and personnel that Congress should not be funding, and a failure to eliminate them will reduce the probability that the appropriations bills will be supported by even a majority of Republicans." Members of the Freedom Caucus requested an update on where appropriations negotiations currently stand, demanding that legislative text include policies to defund the Pentagon abortion policy, prohibit funding for gun registries and red-flag gun laws, and block attempts by the Biden administration to remove parts of the southern border wall, among other things.
If their long list of demands is not met, the hard-line Republicans say the GOP should instead push for a one-year temporary funding bill that would implement 1% budget cuts across the board and keep government spending at the same levels.
The first batch of appropriations bills are set to expire on March 1, meaning Congress must pass its Agriculture; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; and Energy and Water legislation to ensure continuing funding for a slew of government departments.
The second deadline falls on March 8 for Congress to pass the remaining appropriations bills.
The House has passed only seven of its 12 appropriations bills so far, with the Senate even farther behind at just three.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2867505/shutdown-showdown-freedom-caucus-demands/
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