Rep. Obernolte to Pelosi: CBO must score reconciliation bill before passage

GOP Rep. Jay Obernolte is calling on Democratic leaders to ensure that the Congressional Budget Office scores the cost of their filibuster-proof reconciliation bill before a final floor vote in the House.

"Nearly any economist will tell you that deficit spending is dangerously inflationary and unfortunately Americans are already feeling the effects of inflation today," Obernolte said during a news conference on Thursday. "Every American family is going to be paying more for their Thanksgiving dinner than they were a year ago."

Obernolte emphasized that there is a House rule on the books that requires a CBO score before a vote takes place on a reconciliation bill and he wants to make sure the rule is enforced.

Democratic leaders have said the nearly $2 trillion reconciliation bill is going to be paid for in full.

"Prove it" with a CBO score, said Obernolte and other GOP lawmakers at the news conference. 

Obernolte said he has the support of over half of the House of Representatives for a CBO score before a vote occurs on the spending bill. 

GOP Rep. Byron Donalds said Democrats are seeking to cut taxes for the wealthy in blue states with the reconciliation bill by offering State and Local Tax (SALT) relief. 

"We need a score. We need to follow the rules," he said. "So to the Speaker of the House, prove it. Get a score and make sure for once you don't give tax breaks for the wealthy in blue states because they don't need that money.