Capitol agenda: Spending heats up, Hegseth up in the Senate, House GOP retreat
Democrats are widely opposed to pairing the debt limit and wildfire aid — two key parts of a spending proposal GOP leaders are circling behind closed doors. But unless Democrats are willing to flirt with a government shutdown or a potential debt default, they’re likely stuck with the deal, or one similar to it.
One House Democrat says his party isn’t willing to make those threats.
“The one thing that has united Democrats, in my entire career here, is a commitment to do what's necessary to govern, to keep the government open and to work to improve the lives of the people we all represent, whether that's lowering costs or helping them in a time of crisis,” said Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, chair of the centrist New Democrat Coalition. “So that's what we're always going to do.”
And in more than a dozen interviews with House Democrats, none were willing to suggest that their party would allow a government shutdown or debt default if Republicans don’t play ball on spending negotiations before a mid-March deadline. House Democratic leaders have called themselves the “adults in the room” as the GOP majority has struggled with must-pass legislation.
As POLITICO scooped this week, House and Senate Republicans are weighing a government funding pitch to Democrats that would boost border security, lift the debt limit and provide California wildfire aid. Democratic leaders haven’t been presented with a deal yet, but they’re sounding defiant — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated Thursday that trading disaster aid for raising the debt ceiling was a “nonstarter.”
Here’s what else we’re watching:
- Fun Friday for the Senate: The Senate will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as secretary of Defense and end debate on confirming Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security around 9 p.m. The Senate is set to work through the weekend on confirming nominees, including Noem. Thune has also moved to end debate on Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary and Sean Duffy for Transportation secretary.
- GOP heads to Doral: Speaker Mike Johnson is gearing up for next week’s GOP retreat, where he’s aiming to finalize a “blueprint” on House Republicans’ budget reconciliation plans. That’s a lofty goal — Republicans have been arguing over this for weeks, and several centrists spent a Thursday meeting with GOP leaders shooting down proposals for ways to pay for the bill, including cuts to Obamacare and social safety net programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Other nom news: Two of Trump’s most controversial nominees are slated for confirmation hearings on Jan. 30. FBI director pick Kash Patel will head before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s choice for national intelligence director, will go before Senate Intelligence.