New Dem Chair’s Statement Calling on Speaker McCarthy to Reject Extremists
Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) released a statement calling on Speaker McCarthy to seek common ground rather than give in to the most extreme House Republicans:
“Last week marked the first time in more than 20 years that a rules package failed on the House floor. Time and time again, Speaker McCarthy has sought to maintain his power by kowtowing to a handful of far-right extremists rather than working with reasonable lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to make the House of Representatives work.
“Under Republican and Democratic Speakers, we have been able to enact important legislation by finding bipartisan solutions to our nation’s toughest challenges. Consider these two examples: the Bipartisan Budget Agreement passed because 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats joined together to save the American economy and prevent a catastrophic default. And, last December, the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed with overwhelming support from Members of both parties.
“In fact, of the 360 Members in the 118th Congress who voted for last year’s defense bill and the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, 120 Republicans and 127 Democrats supported both measures, including 71 New Dems.
“This Congress, we have the opportunity to pass durable legislation that will make life better for the American people. We can and must pass full-year government funding bills consistent with the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration and the Farm Bill, enact a bipartisan defense bill to keep the American people safe, and more.
“Neither party has to compromise their values in order to pass these important bills. New Dems have not and will never do that. But on every issue that comes before the House, the Speaker faces a choice: empower Team Extreme or Team Reasonable. New Dems are Team Reasonable and we’re at the table and ready to work. We hope the Speaker joins us.”
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