March 17, 2025 Story by: Editor
This article has been updated to include a more comprehensive quote from Representative James Clyburn.
Former President Donald Trump has signed into law a short-term funding bill crafted by Republicans, ensuring the government remains operational while implementing budget reductions. However, the passage of this legislation has sparked tensions within the Democratic Party.
According to Rep. James Clyburn, the move “blindsided” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, highlighting divisions over how the deal was reached. In an interview on The Weekend, Clyburn expressed frustration over the handling of the vote, emphasizing that Jeffries and other Democratic leaders were not fully informed before the bill advanced. “Jeffries got blindsided,” Clyburn stated, suggesting that Senate negotiations left House Democrats in a difficult position.
“I thought the Senate was on board when Leader Schumer announced that the votes were not there. I thought this was the time for the whole country to focus on exactly who was where,” Clyburn said. “When I saw the numbers—22% saying that Trump was responsible and around 31% saying Republicans were responsible—I realized that’s almost 50% of the American people blaming the Republicans. Let’s keep the focus on them for 24 to 48 hours if need be and let the country see exactly who is doing this and talk about these guardrails that were not there. Because what we are doing here, irrespective of what is in this bill, is dealing with an administration that has decided they will do what they darn well please, irrespective of what anybody else says, including the courts.”
The budget cuts embedded in the measure have drawn criticism from progressives who argue they undermine key social programs.
“Hakeem Jeffries did a great job bringing the House Democrats together; all but one voted not to give a blank check to this President,” Clyburn said. “Then it goes to the Senate. For the first 24 hours, they seemed to be on board, and then all of a sudden, there is this change. What happened in that 24-hour period, I’m not sure.”
Despite the internal party conflict, the bill’s passage averts an immediate government shutdown, buying lawmakers more time to negotiate a long-term budget solution.
Clyburn acknowledged the necessity of avoiding a shutdown but stressed that Democrats must remain vigilant in protecting funding for essential services. The debate over the spending bill is expected to continue, with Democrats pushing back against further Republican-led reductions.
Source: MSN
