Hoyer: Dems likely to back budget deal

By Susan Ferrechio, Susan Ferrechio

Published December 20, 2015

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Tuesday he believes Democrats will support a broad budget and debt ceiling bill that also reforms the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.

"I think our members will be relatively comfortable with it," Hoyer told reporters after meeting with House Democrats earlier in the morning. The accord, he said, received a "relatively positive reception."

Democrats are critical to passing the budget deal because Republicans are unlikely to win the support of dozens of its most conservative members. The deal was negotiated in part by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who collaborated with Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, Senate leaders and President Obama.

Democrats will likely be encouraged to vote for the deal in light of support from the White House.