WASHINGTON: US Congressman Paul Gosar, in a statement about upcoming talks between the White House and Congress to avert a government shutdown, said that anything short of policy changes to reduce federal spending will be a waste of time, reported Sputnik.
President Joe Biden will host the four US congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss efforts to pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill and to avert a government shutdown.
“The American people expect Congress to get serious about cutting wasteful government spending and living within its means,” Gosar told Sputnik on Monday. “Discussion should encompass significant policy changes that reduce spending and anything short of this is a waste of time.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in earlier remarks said he believes there is enough time for lawmakers to reach a deal on a federal spending budget.
However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said there is a lot of uncertainty about whether hardliner Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives may risk a government shutdown.
Last week, the House Freedom Caucus in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson said it would not support an omnibus spending package that does not include policy changes on their wishlist.
The Caucus further warned Johnson that a failure to eliminate policies and personnel that it recommends Congress should not fund will reduce the probability of a spending package passing the House without their support. – BERNAMA-SPUTNIK
