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Democrats are widely opposed to pairing the debt limit and wildfire aid \u2014 two key parts of a spending proposal GOP leaders are circling behind closed doors. But unless Democrats are willing to flirt with a government shutdown or a potential debt default, they\u2019re likely stuck with the deal, or one similar to it.<\/p>\n

One House Democrat says his party isn\u2019t willing to make those threats.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one thing that has united Democrats, in my entire career here, is a commitment to do what’s necessary to govern, to keep the government open and to work to improve the lives of the people we all represent, whether that’s lowering costs or helping them in a time of crisis,\u201d said Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, chair of the centrist New Democrat Coalition. \u201cSo that’s what we’re always going to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

And in more than a dozen interviews with House Democrats, none were willing to suggest that their party would allow a government shutdown or debt default if Republicans don\u2019t play ball on spending negotiations before a mid-March deadline. House Democratic leaders have called themselves the \u201cadults in the room\u201d as the GOP majority has struggled with must-pass legislation.<\/p>\n

As Blue Light News scooped<\/u><\/a> this week, House and Senate Republicans are weighing a government funding pitch to Democrats that would boost border security, lift the debt limit and provide California wildfire aid. Democratic leaders haven\u2019t been presented with a deal yet, but they\u2019re sounding defiant \u2014 House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated Thursday that trading disaster aid for raising the debt ceiling was a \u201cnonstarter.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what else we\u2019re watching:<\/b><\/p>\n