LEADER JEFFRIES AND LEADER SCHUMER DEMAND BIG FOUR MEETING TO DISCUSS BIPARTISAN APPROPRIATIONS PLAN AHEAD OF SEPTEMBER DEADLINE
Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sent the following letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) asking for a Big Four meeting to discuss a bipartisan path forward to fund the government.
Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sent the following letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) demanding a Big Four meeting ahead of the fall government funding deadline. Largely, this Congress, Republicans decided to “go it alone” with everything from reconciliation to the continuing resolution – rebuffing bipartisanship. But after the Senate passed three appropriations bills with a large bipartisan majority, the Democratic leaders are encouraging the Republicans to work in good faith, not bow to President Trump and Russell Vought, and continue the rest of government funding.
“As a result of your choice to pursue a partisan agenda this Congress, 15 million Americans will now lose their healthcare. Put simply, it need not be this way. The Senate recently demonstrated that Congress is still able to achieve bipartisan appropriations legislation for the American people when the legislative process is permitted to work,” the Leaders wrote. “Today, we wish to reiterate that we should pursue a bipartisan path—you can work with us to protect health care for the American people and chart a better course for this country.”
The Leaders requested a Big Four meeting this week.
The full text of the letter can be seen here and below.
***
Dear Speaker Johnson and Leader Thune:
We write in connection with the September 30 government funding deadline that fast approaches.
As Leaders of the House and Senate, you have the responsibility to govern for all Americans and work on a bipartisan basis to avert a painful, unnecessary shutdown at the end of September. Yet it is clear that the Trump Administration and many within your party are preparing to ‘go it alone’ and continue to legislate on a solely Republican basis.
As a result of your choice to pursue a partisan agenda this Congress, 15 million Americans will now lose their health care. Put simply, it need not be this way. The Senate recently demonstrated that Congress is still able to achieve bipartisan appropriations legislation for the American people when the legislative process is permitted to work. Today, we wish to reiterate that we should pursue a bipartisan path—you can work with us to protect health care for the American people and chart a better course for this country.
Americans – whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent – want their leaders to put them first and focus on lowering the cost of living here in America. Instead, over the past seven months, Republicans in both the Senate and House have largely rejected bipartisanship, which has been devastating for American families who will now pay more for everything from health care, to groceries, to utility bills, to essential goods and services. This is not what voters had in mind when they handed Republicans very narrow majorities in Congress and a paper-thin presidential victory to Donald Trump.
Therefore, we request you swiftly convene a so-called Big Four meeting this week, for the four of us to discuss the government funding deadline and the health care crisis you have visited upon the American people. We anticipate your prompt reply.
Sincerely,
Leader Charles Schumer & Leader Hakeem Jeffries