U.S. Rep. Clark calls on Republicans to bring failed bipartisan funding deal back to the floor

Democratic House Whip Katherine Clark is calling on Republicans to bring the initial bipartisan funding deal back to the floor after failing Thursday night to pass a stop-gap funding bill.

A deal is necessary to avert a partial government shutdown by midnight Friday.

President-elect Donald Trump effectively scuttled a bipartisan deal earlier this week when he and top advisers, including billionaire Elon Musk, came out against a stop-gap funding bill. Some Republicans joined Democratic lawmakers Thursday night to block the second attempt this week at passing a funding measure.

Clark said Republicans have "not contacted Democrats" since the initial bipartisan measure failed. A two-thirds majority is needed to pass the expedited funding bill.

"We have been negotiating in good faith with the GOP for two years trying to get a budget over the line," said Clark on WBUR's Morning Edition Friday. "They have failed at this basic responsibility to be there for our farmers, our seniors, our veterans."

Clark said that a government shutdown would cause people in Massachusetts to "suffer," saying holiday travelers could face delays and cancellations, military members would work without pay and seniors could miss benefit checks.

When asked why Democrats won't approve what Republicans put on the table in order to avoid a shutdown, Clark said there is "too much at stake" in the initial bipartisan agreement.

"We have funding for community hospitals. We have funding for childhood cancer research. We have funding for disaster aid that is desperately needed around this country, including over $700 million for Massachusetts," said the second-ranking House Democrat.

For his part, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, said they are working on the stop-gap measure, according to NPR.