Title: House GOP Grapples with Government Shutdown Threats and Biden Impeachment Inquiry
Subtitle: Speaker Kevin McCarthy Faces Crucial Challenges upon Return to Washington
Publication Date: [Date]
As the House of Representatives reconvenes in Washington this week, House GOP members find themselves divided over the threats of a government shutdown and whether to launch an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces the daunting task of navigating these contentious issues while keeping both the conservative and moderate factions of his party united. However, if McCarthy fails to satisfy the concerns of conservative members, some are considering a vote on ousting him as Speaker.
Here are the key questions McCarthy will confront this month:
1. Will McCarthy Open an Impeachment Inquiry?
McCarthy has hinted at the possibility of launching a formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden. He argues that such an inquiry would be a natural progression in the party’s ongoing investigations into the Biden family’s foreign business dealings and the prosecution of Hunter Biden, the president’s son. However, it remains unclear if McCarthy has enough support within the slim House GOP majority to proceed with an impeachment inquiry. Several Republican lawmakers have expressed hesitation, including representatives from districts that Biden won in the 2020 election.
Despite the hesitations, some conservative voices, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Matt Gaetz, are increasing pressure on McCarthy to open an impeachment inquiry. They have even threatened to obstruct government funding unless their demands are met. On the other hand, House Oversight Chairman James Comer believes there are enough votes for an impeachment inquiry.
2. Can McCarthy Avert a Shutdown?
McCarthy is urging the House to pass a short-term continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown beyond September 30. However, the details of the resolution, including its duration, remain uncertain. The White House has proposed attaching supplemental funding for Ukraine, disaster relief, and border security to the resolution, while hard-line conservatives are pushing for changes related to border policies, the Department of Justice, and Pentagon policies.
With differing demands that are unlikely to be met by the Democratic-controlled Senate, the possibility of a government shutdown at the end of the month looms.
3. Will the House Consider Ukraine Funding?
The White House has requested Congress to approve an additional $24 billion in aid for Ukraine to combat Russian aggression. Senate leaders from both parties have expressed support for this funding, but McCarthy pledged not to provide a “blank check” to Ukraine. Many Republicans are skeptical about allocating more funds to Ukraine, diverting attention away from domestic priorities. One potential solution involves tying Ukraine funding to policy changes at the U.S.-Mexico border.
4. Will Appropriations Bills Move Forward?
House GOP leaders hope to make progress on the 11 remaining regular appropriations bills this month. However, resistance from hard-line conservatives, who demand further cuts, complicates the path forward. Some members of the House Freedom Caucus are uncompromising in their stance, refusing to support additional appropriations bills unless they know the overall funding figures for all bills. Disputes over funding figures delayed the passage of an agriculture appropriations bill before the August recess. The upcoming bill to fund the Department of Defense is likely to stir renewed debate over contentious issues such as gender-affirming health procedures and diversity training.
5. Does McCarthy Face a Real Threat to His Gavel?
Although McCarthy lowered the threshold to challenge his speakership, direct challenges to his position have been avoided thus far. However, the threats seem to be intensifying, with Rep. Matt Gaetz warning McCarthy that his Speaker position may be at risk if he interferes with the impeachment vote. Gaetz’s rhetoric escalated further on social media, even questioning if Democrats would assist in ousting McCarthy. Despite the mounting challenges, McCarthy has expressed confidence and dismissed concerns about Gaetz’s threat.
As House GOP members return to Washington, the clash over government shutdown threats and a potential impeachment inquiry against President Biden is set to reach its climax. Speaker McCarthy faces a delicate balancing act in addressing the concerns of both conservative and moderate factions within his party. The outcomes of these pressing questions will shape the political landscape in the coming weeks and have significant implications for the Republican Party’s future.