Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) reportedly granted nearly every Democrat an earmark in exchange for their support for a $1.2 trillion spending bill, which passed despite the opposition from most House Republicans.
Democrats contended that they had not received an equitable share of the earmarks, or projects directed by Congress, during this term. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, stated that Jeffries indicated Democrats would vote for the spending bill for an increased share of the earmarks.
The earmarks in the substantial spending bill included “almost every single Democratic member for at least one project,” according to CNN.
DeLauro told CNN that Jeffries wanted to keep the success low-key.
“There was no need. He [Jeffries] negotiated. He got what we needed to have. That’s it. It doesn’t always have to be a press conference when you get things done. That’s his style,” DeLauro said.
“Nobody at the beginning of this Congress could have imagined all this turmoil that has happened here, right? But [Jeffries] has navigated a pathway for Democrats that has made us relevant and effective,” Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), the ranking member on the House Rules Committee, remarked.
“I saw him assess the sentiment of the caucus, listen a lot to people, and ultimately land in a place that not everyone celebrated, but everyone was comfortable with,” Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) added.
