Rep. Mike Flood accused of Democrats of “playing games” amid a looming deadline to keep the federal government open as a standoff in the Senate deepened Sunday.
In a call with reporters Sunday, the Republican 1st District congressman said the House “sent over the most reasonable bill we could” to extend funding ahead of the 12:01 Wednesday a.m. deadline to avert a government shutdown.
“Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries in the House would rather shut down the government, not pay our troops, and demand $1.5 trillion in extra spending when we’re $37 trillion in debt,” Flood said.
Republicans say Democrats need to pass a simple extension to keep the government functioning, while Democrats say they want immediate talks on health care, and they are willing to shut down the government if they don’t get concessions, according to The Associated Press.
Flood said he will meet with House Republicans on Monday to figure out next steps.
“I’m hopeful we’ll find a way through this,” Flood said. “I just don’t see one right now.”
Flood said Schumer did the “right thing” back in March, the last time the government faced a possible shutdown, when the top Senate Democrat pushed forward a Republican spending bill to keep the government open.
Flood pointed out that the shutdown will impact many of the government’s functions and employees, including the military, who will have to work during the shutdown because they are considered essential.
“I am stunned that Schumer is playing games like this. Democrats are essentially using federal employees as hostages to try and get additional spending,” Flood said.
Flood called for a resolution, adding that a shutdown is painful for everyone, including those who could be threatened by layoffs. The Trump administration told agencies to prepare for large-scale layoffs of federal workers if the government shuts down.
Rep. Flood also took a moment Sunday to speak on the ethics complaint he filed against Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, saying comments from Omar made light of the death of Charlie Kirk and were “reprehensible.”
Reach the writer at 402-473-2634 or thurlburt@journalstar.com.
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