During a press conference on Friday, a prominent House Democratic leader avoided directly expressing confidence in the Senate’s top Democrat when questioned multiple times.
The senior House Democrat was asked twice about their Senate counterpart while emphasizing opposition to a Republican-backed government funding bill. When initially questioned about whether Senate leadership should change, the House leader responded, “Next question.” The same answer was given when asked if they had “lost confidence” in the Senate leader.
The funding bill passed with a 62-38 vote, preventing a government shutdown. The situation has highlighted apparent tension between two key Democratic leaders. The House Democrat’s avoidance of discussing their Senate colleague comes amid criticism from within their party. Some Democrats have expressed frustration after the Senate leader indicated support for the funding bill to avoid a shutdown.
Later in the press conference, the House leader firmly rejected suggestions that they were “afraid to speak” about the Senate leader’s actions.
“Do not characterize my remarks. I’m not afraid of anything,” they stated. When pressed further, they redirected focus to opposing what they described as a “partisan and harmful Republican bill,” arguing that protecting healthcare, veterans’ benefits, and nutritional assistance was their priority.
Although progressives have criticized the Senate leader’s decision to back the funding measure, it remains unclear whether Republicans can secure enough Democratic votes to reach the required 60-vote threshold in the Senate.
When asked whether the Senate leader had “yielded” to former President Trump, the House Democrat deflected, emphasizing that the Senate vote had not yet occurred and reiterating House Democrats’ opposition to the bill’s proposed cuts to healthcare, veterans’ benefits, and nutritional aid.
The dispute reflects mounting tension within the party as lawmakers debate the path forward on the funding bill, which passed the House with only one Democratic vote. Lawmakers face a deadline to send legislation to the President’s desk by midnight Friday to prevent a partial government shutdown.
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