House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Friday that House Democrats don’t support a tax-extender package that isn’t paid for.
“It’s too big, it’s unfair and does not have the support of House Democrats,” Pelosi told reporters on Capitol Hill. “But it could have the support of others. I’m not speaking for anyone except House Democrats.”
The tax measure is being negotiated simultaneously with the omnibus bill, which Pelosi said she is optimistic Congress will be able to pass next week despite Democratic concerns about the possible inclusion of partisan policy riders.
“We know we have a responsibility to keep the government open, and that’s what we’re striving to do in spite of some of the bad riders that are still in the bill,” Pelosi said.
House leaders have not said whether the omnibus and tax-extender packages will be combined into a package or kept separate. Pelosi said she expects it will be the latter because House Democrats oppose the tax-extender legislation.
“The omnibus and tax extender bills must be separated and I assume that they will be,” Pelosi said.
Negotiators are slated to work through the weekend to finalize the omnibus bill. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) yesterday said he hopes to unveil the bill to lawmakers on Monday.
With government funding expiring tonight at midnight, the House is expected to pass a five-day extension, which President Obama is expected to sign into law today. House Republican leaders said they hope the new Dec. 16 deadline will give negotiators enough time to hammer out a deal on the year-long spending measure.
