House GOP Budget Shot Down by Senate Republicans, Gov. Hobbs Weighs In

In a significant development, House Democrats and Governor Katie Hobbs have rejected the budget proposal from House Republicans. This rejection comes as Senate Republicans also dismiss the spending package just prior to unveiling a bipartisan agreement with Hobbs.

President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope criticized the House’s approach, labeling it a “fantasyland budget” while asserting the viability of the Senate’s proposal.

Senator John Kavanagh urged House Republicans to back the Senate’s budget, noting that Hobbs intends to veto the House version. Time is of the essence, as lawmakers have only two weeks to finalize a budget before a potential government shutdown.

Although the House budget is unlikely to progress beyond the House itself, Representative Matt Gress expressed hope on June 13 that it could consolidate GOP priorities into the Senate budget.

Gress stated, “Our budget is certainly more conservative than what I suspect this bipartisan agreement will be. We are close. I think a budget deal is imminent.”

Political consultant Barrett Marson emphasized the necessity for the House to demonstrate Republican unity to Hobbs, despite the House budget’s limited chances in the legislative process.

While all Republicans voted in favor of the budget, some, including Reps. Teresa Martinez and Justin Olson, voiced reservations. Only Reps. Justin Wilmeth and Chris Lopez abstained due to absence.

“They have at least stated their ground,” Marson said. “Look, things were stuck, and now they’re going to unstick it.”

Senate Republicans have acknowledged Hobbs’s unwillingness to sign a budget reliant solely on GOP support.

“Elections have consequences. We are in an era of divided government, and we must proceed as such,” Shope remarked. He underscored that neither party would secure all their demands.

GOP consultant Doug Cole concurred with this philosophy, stating, “I can tell you with all certainty that the majority of the folks involved in the (budget) process will be unhappy. But that’s how our system is set up.”