Congressional Black Caucus Opposes Spending Bill

Key Takeaways

• Congressional Black Caucus members oppose the House-passed spending bill.
• Some Democrats support it to prevent a government shutdown.
• Rep. Pressley and fellow members criticize the bill as harmful.
• All four Black Democratic senators plan to vote against it.

Overview of Opposition

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including several prominent Democratic representatives, have condemned the recent House-passed spending bill. They intend to vote against it in the Senate, despite some of their party members supporting it to avoid a government shutdown.

Voices Against the Bill

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) expressed her concerns over the bill, calling it “draconian.” She urged Senate Democrats to stand firm against what she described as a government takeover led by Republicans.

“The Trump-Musk spending bill will make our constituents hungrier, sicker, and poorer,” Pressley stated on social media.

During a CNN interview, Pressley emphasized that many constituents feel “afraid” and encouraged Senate Democrats to not become “complicit” in harmful decisions.

Backlash from Fellow Democrats

Despite support for the bill from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, many members of the Congressional Black Caucus expressed disappointment. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) remarked:

“I stand by the NO vote on the blank check for Trump & Elon… I’ve got no explanation nor agreement with Senate Dems being complicit in Trump’s Tyranny.”

Senators Opposing the Bill

All four Black Democratic senators announced their opposition:

• Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.): Described the deal from Republicans as “dirty” and emphasized her commitment to saving democracy.
• Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.): Decried the bill's harmful options, stating it would either damage the government or lead to a shutdown. He criticized the bill's impact on health care, education, and veterans.
• Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.): Claimed the proposal represents a surrendering of Congressional power to the president and Elon Musk, expressing concerns about future damages.
• Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.): Argued that supporting the resolution contradicts her promise to fight for her constituents and allows harmful policies to continue.

Conclusion

As discussions continue, members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other Democrats are weighing their options carefully. They aim to push for a clean, bipartisan funding bill that does not compromise the welfare of their constituents.