House GOP freshmen call on Reid to pass spending bill or resign

House Republican freshmen have called on Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to pass a spending bill or resign as Senate leader.

Freshman Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) led the effort to gather more than 80 signatures for a letter in which he implores Reid to move on a spending bill or give up his position.

{mosads}”With all due respect, if you do not plan to fulfill your responsibilities as Senate Majority Leader, perhaps it is time to step aside,” the letter stated.

Members of the House Republican freshman class held their fifth press availability “protest” on Tuesday to call on Reid to pass a long-term funding bill. The House approved their version of the bill, which would cut $61 billion from current levels of spending, 45 days ago. The Senate failed to pass that bill.

The current temporary measure funding the government expires at midnight on Friday.

The GOP proposed legislation late Monday that would keep the government open for a week after Friday’s deadline while cutting $12 billion over those seven days. The bill is aimed at buying more time for stalled negotiations on a long-term plan, but it would fund the Defense Department through September.

Meanwhile, both parties continue to negotiate on a spending plan for the remainder of 2011. President Obama hosted the congressional leadership and the heads of the spending panels at a White House meeting Tuesday morning.

— This story was updated at 11:38 a.m.