House and Senate Democrat lawmakers are demanding changes to Republican-crafted appropriations bills that would boost defense budget and reduce domestic spending, Defense One reported Monday.Alex Brown writes Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged fellow Democrat members to block any spending bills introduced by Republicans if the measures do not address sequestration.
“Republicans should be warned right here, right now,” Schumer told reporters last week.
“Democrats are not going to help you pass appropriations bills that lock in senseless, automatically triggered cuts that hurt the middle class,” he added.
Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Budget Committee, proposed amendments last week that would have blocked a defense spending measure to increase U.S. war operations abroad, according to the publication.
Defense One reports Republicans signaled that they are open to negotiating a budget deal that would reduce sequester cuts.
