Senate Democrats try to regroup ahead of GOP budget barrage [View all]

Source: Axios

11 hours ago


Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is summoning his caucus for a rare Saturday conference call ahead of a potential reconciliation "vote-a-rama" next week.

Why it matters: Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) budget package includes some $175 billion in border security spending, presenting a potential political minefield for Democratic senators.

But Schumer also wants to look for opportunities to force Republicans to play defense by offering his own amendments to make them squirm.

Senators want to discuss where they should stick together in opposition to the GOP and when they can allow their members to break ranks, according to people familiar with the matter.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) might call Graham's budget package to the floor next week, which would lead to a "vote-a-rama" — in which senators can offer amendments for some 50 hours to score political points.

Democratic activists are demanding their elected lawmakers mount a more forceful response to President Trump's dismantling of the federal government.

But the reality for incumbent Democrats is that they don't have any immediate way to stop Trump, short of appealing to the federal courts.

Senate Democrats staged an all-night talk fest last week to protest the confirmation of Russ Vought as Office of Budget and Management director. He was confirmed on a party-line vote.