Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) scoffed at Republicans who insist that Democrats should help them avoid a government shutdown set for March 14 if Congress does not pass a spending bill.
Speaking Mike Johnson (R-LA) is aiming to hold a vote on Tuesday on a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open. Republicans hold a narrow 218-214 majority, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has been whipping votes against the measure. If it passes, the legislation would move to the Senate, where seven Democratic votes would be required to meet the 60-vote threshold to invoke cloture.
The House Rules Committee convened on Monday, where Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) chided Democrats for their opposition to the Republicans’ bill to keep the government open. Roy’s remarks irked McGovern, who pointed to Republicans’ insistence that their victories in November’s elections meant they had a “mandate” to govern.
“I think maybe you guys need to get a take a refresher course in arithmetic,” McGovern said. “Last time I checked, you have the majority in the House and in the Senate. And you control the White House. The idea that somehow Democrats have the responsibility to pass a CR or any bill, quite frankly, where we don’t have any input on, I think is is ridiculous. I mean, you run around bragging about this big mandate. Well, put on your mandate pants and pass whatever you wanna do.”
The Democrat went on to predict that House Republicans would be able to pass the bill without Democratic support. In doing so, he cited the tale of Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), who initially opposed a spending blueprint until President Donald Trump reportedly berated her over the phone. She ultimately voted yes.
“And I think you probably will have the votes because even the so-called principled conservatives who don’t like CRs, I think they’re suffering from a case of Victoria Spartz syndrome, where on Monday they’re a hard no and then on Tuesday there’re a hard yes,” he added. “They’ll cave. But the idea that somehow being in charge means that you don’t have to take the responsibility of running this place is absurd.”
Watch above via the House Rules Committee.