House Republicans Launch Bold Push to Defund Biden Admin Offices and Pressure on Progressive Policies

 House Republicans are making a strong push to defund various offices within the Biden administration by attaching multiple amendments to a government funding bill. The upcoming Financial Services and General Government fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill, which covers funding for the Treasury and executive office of the president, is the target of these amendments. One key objective for House Republicans is to exert pressure on the Biden administration regarding key progressive policy issues.

Among the proposed amendments is one introduced by Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, which seeks to cut funding for Vice President Kamala Harris' office. Several other amendments focus on reducing funds for the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has gone a step further by proposing to lower the salary of IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel to just $1.

GOP lawmakers have also targeted the two Offices of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (ODEIA) within the Biden administration. Rep. Greg Steube from Florida's amendment calls for defunding the Treasury's ODEIA, while Rep. Harriet Hageman of Wyoming has proposed similar measures for the Office of Personnel Management. Freshman Rep. Russell Fry from South Carolina has submitted an amendment to cut funding for the Treasury's Climate Hub, which is responsible for shaping and coordinating the department's strategy on climate change.

House Republicans have pledged to pass 12 individual spending bills, each targeting specific areas of the federal government, in order to fund U.S. priorities for fiscal year 2024. However, many of these initiatives may face challenges in the Democrat-controlled Senate, where they have little chance of gaining support. Due to the lack of agreement, Congress passed a short-term funding extension until November 17, allowing time to finalize the government's fiscal year 2024 plan. The White House has already issued veto threats for several spending bills proposed by House Republicans.