Congressmen Bera and Burchett on Government Funding Bill and Bipartisan Solutions

Opposition to the Continuing Resolution

• 💡 Both Democratic Congressman Ami Bera and Republican Congressman Tim Burchett express dissatisfaction with the current continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government.
• ⚠️ Bera criticizes the CR as a capitulation to former President Trump and argues that it's not a good way to run the government, preferring a shutdown over a bad deal.
• 🎯 Burchett, who has never voted for a CR, views them as a "copout" but voted for this specific one because it did not increase the size of government and even included a small decrease.

Calls for Bipartisan Cooperation

• 🤝 Bera and Burchett emphasize the need for Democrats and Republicans to work together to address long-standing budget issues, including lowering the debt and deficit, and controlling spending.
• 🧩 They advocate for a "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid moment" where bipartisan leaders make difficult decisions for the greater good, even if unpopular.
• 🗣️ Burchett highlights the effectiveness of Democratic leadership in using "carrots and sticks" in negotiations, contrasting it with a more "free range" approach on the Republican side.

Budgetary Priorities and Concerns

• 💰 Burchett notes that the CR moved some money around, cutting from the IRS and increasing funds for the Pentagon, which he dislikes.
• 🏫 Bera suggests that instead of increasing defense spending, funds could be better allocated to improving schools or building roads.
• 📉 Both lawmakers acknowledge that while their parties' leadership may be far apart, collaboration among a smaller group of members could achieve significant progress for the American public.