Minority Leader Chuck Schumer previewed Wednesday’s ‘vote-a-rama’ strategy as Republicans push toward final passage of the $70 billion package.
Senate Democrats said Wednesday they will push a series of amendments on gas, grocery, housing, and health care costs when the chamber takes up a Republican bill to fund immigration enforcement—a bill that would end the longest government shutdown in history.
The partial shutdown began in February when Democrats refused to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless Republicans agreed to new limits on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. They tied these demands to the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Republicans rejected those demands and are now moving to fund the two agencies for three years through a process called budget reconciliation, which allows the majority party to bypass the 60-vote threshold most bills need to pass the Senate. If Republicans secure final passage of the reconciliation measure, it would resolve the central dispute that prolonged the shutdown without the ICE reforms Democrats had demanded.
Final passage is expected this week. Before that vote, the Senate will hold what is known as a “vote-a-rama”—a marathon session in which any senator can force a vote on an amendment. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said his caucus will use that session to draw a contrast with Republicans on the cost of living.
“Republicans want to shell out millions of dollars to Donald Trump’s private army without any common sense reforms or restraints,” Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday. “Democrats want to put money in Americans’ pockets by lowering the costs of health care and gas and groceries, housing, and so much else.”
Schumer said in a press conference alongside Democratic colleagues later on that Republicans are directing $140 billion to ICE and Border Patrol while providing nothing to lower Americans’ costs. The budget resolution instructs two Senate committees—Judiciary and Homeland Security, and Governmental Affairs—to each propose changes that increase the deficit by up to $70 billion. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) used the $70 billion figure at Wednesday’s news conference.
By Chase Smith
