The top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday warned GOP leaders not to attach language regarding the Iran nuclear deal to a bill that would fund the government.
“With a mere seven legislative days remaining before another pointless and damaging government shutdown, it is astounding that Republican leadership is still entertaining attaching poison pill riders to a Continuing Resolution [CR],” Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.
{mosads}At a press conference Thursday morning, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) was asked what Congress could do to stop the nuclear agreement.
“We’re pursuing, frankly, a number of options and ideas that members have for what could happen in the weeks to come. As we continue to investigate those and look into them, and see if they are viable or not, I’m sure you’ll be well-aware of it,” he said.
Asked if GOP leaders would attach something Iran-related to a spending bill, Boehner said, “All options are on the table.”
Lowey opposes the Iran nuclear deal, which is coming up for a vote in the House on Friday.
Despite her position, she stresed that GOP leaders shouldn’t attach language to a CR that is aimed at stopping deal.
{mosads}“As one of the few House Democrats who opposes the [Iran agreement], I also believe including language stopping the Iran deal in an upcoming spending bill would be the height of irresponsibility. It stands no chance of being signed into law and wastes already dwindling time,” she said.
Lowey said Boehner needs to control a portion of his conference if he wants to prevent a government shutdown on Oct. 1.
“I desperately urge Speaker Boehner to get a grip on the most extreme elements of his conference and resist shutting down the government over Iran, Planned Parenthood, the Confederate Flag, or any other issue,” she said.