What Democrats Want in Shutdown Fight
The Hill
April 5, 2017
Democrats plan to drive a hard bargain when the White House and GOP congressional leaders seek to pass a stopgap spending bill by the end of April to prevent a government shutdown.
As the party out of power, Democrats feel they face little pressure to provide any votes for a funding bill that does not meet their basic demands.
Any shutdown, they believe, will be blamed on President Trump and Republicans.
As a result, Democrats say Republicans must bring a clean funding bill to the floor that includes no conservative policy riders if they want to win any of their votes.
Among the nonstarters are any attempts to block funds for ObamaCare implementation or environmental protection.
Democrats will oppose language that halts Obama-era rules regarding overtime pay and retirement advice provided by financial advisors, as well as legislation that increases funding for the Pentagon while cutting domestic discretionary spending.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) said Democrats "have a modicum of leverage" but warned they must be careful not to overplay their hand.
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http://thehill.com/homenews/house/327337-what-democrats-want-in-shutdown-fight