GOP Asked Hoyer to Help Pass Budget

Politico reports:

Fearing failure of a landmark budget deal that averted a government shutdown, House GOP leaders have sought help from Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and top Democrats on the Appropriations Committee to pass the measure.

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) contacted Hoyer on Wednesday and asked for his help, said GOP and Democratic sources.

McCarthy’s outreach to Hoyer shows how much opposition Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has run into convincing his own GOP Conference to support the deal with President Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). The agreement would cut $38 billion from government spending levels projected when Republicans took over the House in January, but the impact on spending between now and the end of this fiscal year is minimal, amounting to only $352 million by Sept. 30.

Hoyer may be able to bring 40 to 80 Democratic votes for the measure. Hoyer was handing out “whipping cards” on the floor early Thursday afternoon, Democratic aides said.

Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), ranking member on the Appropriations Committee, is also backing Hoyer’s effort, according to Democratic lawmakers and aides.

Neither Hoyer nor McCarthy’s office would comment on their conversation. Hoyer has now come out in favor of the budget deal.

In addition to out-and-out supporters, Dicks and Hoyer are building up back-pocket votes — those from members who would like to oppose the bill but are willing to cast “yes” votes if they are asked to go in that direction. One member of the House Appropriations Committee told Politico that he had indicated to Dicks that his vote would be there if it was needed.

During an early afternoon vote, Hoyer’s office released as statement indicating his support for the measure, which would avert furloughs for thousands of federal workers in his district.