Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) wasn’t among the handful of Republicans who opposed the two-week continuing resolution yesterday. But don’t count on his vote for another short-term spending bill.
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“If it wasn’t just two weeks, I wouldn’t have voted for it,” DeMint said on Fox News. “And, frankly, this is the last time I’m going to give them a two-week extension.”
DeMint’s decision to oppose another short-term spending bill — assuming there is one — could solidify a bloc of conservatives in the Senate. Already, five Republicans voted against the two-week continuing resolution: Sens. Mike Crapo (Idaho), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Mike Lee (Utah), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Jim Risch (Idaho).
As more conservatives stand their ground, it could force a showdown on H.R. 1, the House-passed bill that cuts $61 billion in spending and defunds Obamacare. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has refused to bring the bill to the floor or offer an alternative.
“We need to pass the budget for this year to make sure the government is funded,” DeMint said. “And then we need to get on to serious reforms of the government that cut the cost of the things we do here.”
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