Elizabeth Warren, AFL-CIO, Teamsters Voice Opposition to Government Spending Bill
Rob Bluey /
Several key liberal lawmakers and interest groups voiced opposition to the House Republican spending bill today, adding their voices to a chorus of conservative critics hoping to derail the plan.
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who was recently elevated to a Democratic leadership role, urged her colleagues to vote against the measure.
Congress shouldn't support the budget package until the Wall Street giveaway is removed. Watch & share ASAP: http://t.co/ZDr5rIhppe
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 10, 2014
Warren’s criticism centered on changes to Dodd-Frank, a law that some Democrats view as off limits in the spending package. Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, pushed back, noting that former Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., and the committee’s current ranking member, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., supported the same provision.
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Warren isn’t alone. Other lawmakers, including Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., ranking member of the House Budget Committee, criticized the bill.
We can keep our government open without special interest giveaways that hurt the middle class. I'm a NO vote. http://t.co/ORZ0Ki2rH3
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) December 10, 2014
At least three prominent progressive organizations—AFL-CIO, Common Cause and Teamsters—also urged lawmakers to vote against the $1.1. trillion spending package that totals more than 1,600 pages.
We oppose efforts to make it easier for too-big-to-fail banks to use taxpayer-backed funds to make risky bets #CRomnibus
— Richard Trumka (@RichardTrumka) December 10, 2014
There's a better way forward: tell your lawmakers to pass a clean funding bill today! http://t.co/YwwCxrjQmN pic.twitter.com/NoZ0MvZNgD
— Common Cause (@CommonCause) December 10, 2014
#CRomnibus slashes pensions, puts tired truckers on the road & lets banks bet with taxpayer insured funds. Say NO! http://t.co/QKBok41bXQ
— Teamsters (@Teamsters) December 10, 2014
Without action from Congress, government funding is set to run out Friday. House Republicans need 218 votes to pass the spending bill and were reportedly counting on Democrats to account for conservative defections.