Cramer: House Forms Negotiating Team, Calls on Senate to Join

Press Release

Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives approved legislation forming a team to begin negotiations between Republican and Democrat leadership on government spending and the debt ceiling. The Bicameral Working Group on Deficit Reduction and Economic Growth will be charged with making recommendations to the House and Senate on government spending levels, spending reforms, and a change in the national debt limit.

"All we're asking for is negotiations to begin, but the Senate and President are refusing to join us. So today we took another step by creating a negotiating team for both parties to immediately begin working on government funding issues and the debt ceiling. I hope the Senate will name its negotiators soon because the American people expect us to get our jobs done. The time is now," Cramer said.

The working group will consist of 10 Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House and 10 Senators appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, for a total of 20 members. The legislation stipulates members of the group must begin meeting one calendar day after their appointment and each calendar day thereafter.

In addition to forming the negotiation team, the House continues to pass critical funding bills for government operations during the fiscal impasse. Democrats have joined Republicans in voting for all ten bills.

"So far the House has passed 10 bipartisan bills to fund everything from the National Guard and veterans' services to National parks and museums, to nutrition assistance and head start for children, and other key spending priorities. If the Senate would just start taking up these bills, we could end this shutdown tomorrow," added Cramer.

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