Leader Schumer Demands Thune And Johnson Reveal Side-Deal On Budget Resolution To American People

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released the following statement demanding that Republican Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) reveal the backroom deal they made with the Republican conference to pass the budget resolution:

“Americans deserve to know what backroom deal Speaker Johnson and Leader Thune just cut with hardline House members to pass the Republican budget resolution. Amidst all of the chaos Republicans have forced on Americans this week, they deserve transparency on what exactly what was promised to secure the votes.

“Public reporting is clear: several members of the House Freedom Caucus and the broader Republican Conference were demanding “explicit commitments” that the final reconciliation bill would kick people off Medicaid and cut other critical investments; and according to House Freedom Caucus member, Rep. Roy, there was a  ‘very concrete commitment from the Speaker on that mechanism.’

“However, there were no changes in the text, public debates, or transparency – the bedrocks of our very democracy. Just a backroom deal. Americans deserve to know what exactly was promised, to whom, and how it will impact the well-being of families from across the country. Leader Thune and Republican Leadership have a responsibility to explain to the American people and United State Senators what exactly that “mechanism” is and how it operates. This “one big, beautiful bill” is increasingly becoming one big, enormous betrayal.”