Dem leaders demand budget negotiations with GOP

House Democratic leaders warned Republicans on Tuesday that Congress is heading toward another government shutdown unless GOP leaders start negotiating now to avoid it.

In a letter to Speaker John Boehner, the five top Democratic leaders in the House asked the Ohio Republican to “immediately schedule” budget negotiations to avoid a government shutdown, which would happen if all 12 appropriations bills aren’t passed by Oct. 1.


“Republicans’ current appropriations strategy is only driving our nation toward another government shutdown,” the Democrats wrote in the letter.

The letter was authored by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra of California and Democratic Vice Chairman Joe Crowley of New York.

“The draconian cuts of the sequester have strangled our investments to keep America Number One in the global economy and to ensure our national security. We must find a balanced and fiscally responsible way to lift the sequester and invest in a stronger defense, better infrastructure and bigger paychecks for America’s hard-working families,” the leaders wrote.

Democrats have mustered enough opposition to some of the Republican’s spending bills that they would likely be able to sustain a veto from President Barack Obama.

Without some sort of compromise between Democrats and Republicans the government could be at risk of shutting down like it did in 2013.

The Senate has also gridlocked on spending bills. Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a $576 billion Defense appropriations measure from even being debated on the floor over concerns about budget cuts and the sequester.

Senate Democrats are likewise demanding broad budget negotiations with Republicans.