"It's complete BS": Dems go ballistic over Senate shutdown deal
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Democratic lawmakers and liberal grassroots groups erupted Sunday night as moderate Senate Democrats moved to cut a deal with Republicans that would put an end to the government shutdown.
Why it matters: The deal threatens to reopen the deep divisions that have been roiling the Democratic Party all year, and the widespread opposition to it among House Democrats could complicate its path to passage.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), in a statement Sunday night, suggested the bill fails to "decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis." He vowed to "fight" the bill if it reaches the House.
- "This 'deal' is a surrender that all congressional Democrats should reject out of hand," said Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin. "We cannot afford a divided and weak opposition party."
Driving the news: Eight Senate Democrats voted with Republicans on Sunday to advance a deal that would fund the government through the end of January, Axios' Stephen Neukam and Stef Kight reported.
- The deal also involves passing a package of annual spending bills, and includes the promise of a December vote on a Democratic bill to extend ACA tax credits.
- But the vote would be set at a 60 vote threshold, sources told Axios, making it unlikely for the bill to pass.
What they're saying: "We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits," Jeffries said in his statement.
- "It's complete BS. A concept of a possible vote," Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) told Axios of the deal. "People need healthcare, damn it. Not some lame promise about a mythical future vote."
- "Sounds like a lousy deal to me," said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.).
- "I assume all of us that have been fighting to protect our constituents from soaring healthcare costs will vote against this," centrist Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) told Axios.
Zoom out: Progressive groups were even more strident in their criticism, arguing that the Senate Democrats voting for the deal took all the wrong lessons from last Tuesday's election results.
- "Make no mistake, as some Senate Democrats consider surrender, Republicans are losing this fight," Indivisible's Levin said in his statement.
- MoveOn spokesperson Joel Payne said the deal will "screw over millions of working Americans" and that "too many Democrats in Congress ... are failing to listen to the clear message voters sent on Election Day."
What we're hearing: House Democrats' text message chains lit up in anger Sunday as details of the deal began to trickle out into the public, with both progressive and centrist lawmakers venting fury, sources told Axios.
- "People are furious," a centrist House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share details of internal discussions, told Axios. "It's an awful deal and a total failure to use leverage for anything real."
- A progressive House Democrat said "people are pissed" and that it feels like Senate Democrats "got almost nothing. It seems like they are just tired."
- A third House Democrat told Axios there is "near universal frustration," and that "everyone seems to be united that we should be opposed and that this isn't a good deal."
The intrigue: House Democrats privately discussed supporting primary challengers against their Senate counterparts when the upper chamber voted to fund the government in March. That chatter has resurfaced, according to two House Democrats.
- Despite voting against the deal, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is emerging as the top target for not containing the defections, the lawmakers said.
- "Schumer is voting no," said a senior House Democrat. "But that doesn't mean [a] primary [challenge is] not coming."
- Schumer's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Between the lines: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) holds just a 219-213 majority, making his margin for error extremely tight.
- That margin will drop further with Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) set to be sworn in whenever the House returns to session.
- Jeffries' vow to actively oppose the bill will make it difficult for any House Democrat beyond centrist Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) to break with him.
- Some conservatives have already made noise, with Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) telling Axios last week he "ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT" vote for a bipartisan Senate deal.
What's next: House Democrats are set to have a caucus call at 3:00pm ET on Monday, according to a senior House Democrat. The deal will likely be the focus of discussion.
- House Minority Whip Katherine Clark's (D-Mass.) office said in a notice Sunday night that votes are expected this week and that members will receive 36 hours advanced notice.
Axios' Kate Santaliz contributed reporting for this story.
