House Democrat defies Jeffries on shutdown fight
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Rep. Jared Golden at the Capitol on March 6, 2024. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
At least one centrist House Democrat plans to vote for Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) stopgap spending bill despite opposition from his own party leadership.
Why it matters: Rep. Jared Golden's (D-Maine) defiance undercuts Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) attempts to keep his caucus unified and deny Republicans any votes they may need to pass the measure.
- Johnson's proposal would keep the government funded at current levels for six months and require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
- Democrats are pushing for a 3-month stopgap that excludes the non-citizen voting bill, called the SAVE Act.
What he's saying: Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), a staunch moderate who co-chairs the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, told Axios he plans to vote for Johnson's bill, noting that he already voted for the SAVE Act in July.
- "I agree with [the SAVE Act], so what would my reason to not vote for it be?" Golden told Axios, adding that it is "a pretty bad idea to shut down the government."
- The Maine Democrat said he shares his party's concerns about funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs under a 6-month bill but argued it would be "worse" if the government shuts down.
Zoom out: Golden is the only one of the five House Democrats who voted for the SAVE Act who has publicly said he plans to vote for Johnson's spending measure.
- Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) is absent from votes this week, while Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) and Don Davis (D-N.C.) declined to comment.
- Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, indicated hesitation to support Johnson's plan, telling Axios, "I don't like long CRs."
Zoom in: Golden said he hasn't heard from Democratic leadership, which is pressing hard for rank-and-file members to oppose the bill.
- "It's generally not my approach to be whipped into a position I don't agree with," he added.
Yes, but: Johnson is struggling to cobble together the votes he needs on the Republican side to pass the bill, and Golden's support alone likely won't be enough to cover his losses.
- Golden told Axios: "I think the first question you should be asking yourself is, 'Is there going to be a vote on a CR?'"
