Schumer lists rail safety, lowering insulin costs as top priorities for rest of 2024
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) circulated a letter to Senate colleagues Sunday afternoon warning them of the looming government funding deadline of Sept. 30 and highlighting rail safety legislation and proposals to lower the cost of insulin and prescription drugs as top priorities remaining in 2024.
Schumer also said he would make it a priority to continue confirming President Biden’s judicial and executive branch nominees over the next four months, as Democrats are in danger of losing their Senate majority.
The Democratic leader warned that failure to extend government funding past the end of the month would threaten “crucial funding for health care, infrastructure, education, food safety, veterans, border security, U.S. competitiveness and more.”
He reiterated that Democrats will support a continuing resolution to keep the government funding for a few weeks or months but emphasized that they will not support controversial Republican policy riders, such as a the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require people to show proof of citizenship when they register to vote.
“As I have said before, the only way to get things done is a bipartisan way. Despite Republican bluster, that is how we’ve handled every funding bill in the past, and this time should be no exception. We will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk,” he said.
House Republican leaders Friday unveiled a 46-page plan to fund the government until March 28, 2025, which includes the proposal to require proof of citizenship during voter registration.
Schumer in a joint statement with Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) warned last week that “avoiding a government shutdown requires bipartisanship, not a bill drawn up by one party.”
Looking beyond this month’s funding deadline, Schumer said he still hopes to finish several delayed priorities before the 118th Congress adjourns before January.
“There are still opportunities for bipartisan cooperation on NDAA, rail safety, lowering the cost of insulin and prescription drugs, and artificial intelligence, among others,” Schumer wrote, referring to the National Defense Authorization Act, which lawmakers say likely won’t reach the floor until after the election.
“While we won’t be able to achieve all of these goals before the election, it is my hope that our Republican colleagues will work with us to make as much progress as possible,” he wrote.
“Finding compromise is never easy, but we know it is the only path to achieving results for the American people. Our caucus unity has been the key to our success, so I want to thank each of you for all your work to find compromise whenever possible,” he added.
Schumer also highlighted the bipartisan accomplishments of the past 18 months, such as the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Federal Aviation Administration, along with military aid for Ukraine and Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
“We’ve secured vital disaster relief funding, passed legislation to protect kids safety online and more,” he wrote.
He said he is urging House Republicans to take up and pass two Senate-approved bills to protect kids surfing the web, the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act.
Date: |
Topics
-
ABC News - Entertainment
Emmy Awards: Full list of winners
The 76th annual Emmy Awards are being handed out Sunday at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles17 hours ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
Emmy Nominees 2024: The Complete List
The 76th Emmy Awards ceremony is planned for Sept. 15. See all the nominees below.Yesterday -
CBS News - Top stories
Pembroke Pines tops list of best U.S. cities for Hispanic entrepreneurs
WalletHub reviewed 180 cities across the country and examined nearly two dozen indicators of success.8 hours ago -
Los Angeles Times - Entertainment
2024 Emmy Awards: The complete list of winners
Here is the list of winners for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, which honors the best of television from the 2023-2024 season.Yesterday -
CBS News - Top stories
Full list of winners and nominees for the 2024 Emmy Awards
See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2024 Emmy Awards.20 hours ago -
The Wall Street Journal - World
Rest Is Part of Your Training
Young athletes and their parents often struggle to understand that.Yesterday -
Financial Times - Business
India’s top shadow bank lists housing finance arm in blockbuster $782mn IPO
Shares of Bajaj Housing Finance shot up by as much as 130% on trading debut18 hours ago -
Los Angeles Times - Entertainment
The top 6 highlights of the 2024 Emmys, according to those who were there
Our correspondents on the ground at the 2024 Emmys had a front-row seat to the best moments you didn't see on TV. Here are their highlights from the awards.14 hours ago -
Financial Times - Business
Apollo pushes into high-grade debt business long dominated by banks
Led by a onetime dealer in death benefit settlements, the leveraged buyout pioneer evolves into a bulge-bracket lender20 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
McCabe calls for 'rethinking' of methods used to protect Trump
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe on Monday called for a “rethinking” of the methods used to protect former President Trump, in light of a second apparent assassination attempt this weekend. ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Democrats pick another fight on IVF
Presented by Plan B One Step — Senate Democrats are trying to put Republicans in a bind as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to hold a second vote on a bill to establish a ...2 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Biden and Trump speak after potential assassination attempt
President Biden and former President Trump spoke over the phone Monday after an apparent assassination attempt against the Republican nominee at his Florida golf course. “We had a very nice call. ...2 hours ago - Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Secret Service director credits agency for 'effective' response to Trump assassination attempt
Former President Trump has the highest levels of security, acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe told reporters Monday, crediting the agency with thwarting an alleged would-be assassin from ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Rep. Joe Wilson returning to work after medical scare
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has received a pacemaker and will return to work in Washington, D.C., following a medical emergency last week. Wilson recorded a video released Monday saying that his ...3 hours ago