Tensions Rise as Government Shutdown Looms
With just days until a potential government shutdown, President Biden and other administration officials have issued stern warnings about the consequences of a closed government. They are urging congressional Republicans to find a resolution to their spending stalemate.
President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have both publicly called on Republicans to resolve their differences before federal funding lapses on Sunday. They emphasized the negative effects of a shutdown, including military members going without pay, disruptions for air travelers, and the closure of essential public programs. However, despite weekend negotiations, there is no indication that Republicans are moving toward a resolution.
Speaking at a dinner for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, President Biden attributed the situation to “a small group of extreme Republicans” who opposed a spending deal he had previously made with Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He warned that a government shutdown could have wide-ranging impacts on food safety, cancer research, and Head Start programs for children. He urged Republicans to fulfill their duty and fund the government.
Secretary Buttigieg also expressed concerns about the potential consequences of a shutdown, particularly in relation to air traffic control. He highlighted the stress faced by air traffic controllers and the negative impact on travel delays, noting that training for new controllers would cease during a staffing crunch.
Over the weekend, House Republicans convened to find a path forward, but little progress was made in overcoming internal opposition to a stopgap spending measure. Despite procedural defeats, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy agreed to bring a series of full-year spending bills with significant cuts to the floor. The move was seen as a gesture of “good faith” to persuade conservative Republicans to eventually support a temporary funding measure.
McCarthy is now exploring a 45-day extension of federal spending into November. However, he may face opposition from Republicans who support a stopgap measure but object to the proposed timeline. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has initiated procedures for the Senate to pass its own temporary funding measure with bipartisan support. A test vote is scheduled for Tuesday, and a bipartisan group in the House is also seeking procedural options to bring an interim spending plan to the floor.
Should McCarthy rely on Democrats to pass a continuing resolution, he may face a challenge from far-right Republicans. Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee warned that he would consider voting to oust the speaker if he went in that direction. Burchett is among those who support deep spending cuts and oppose any form of stopgap legislation.
Despite the challenges, Representative Garret Graves of Louisiana, a confidant of McCarthy, assured reporters that Republicans were doing everything possible to avoid a government shutdown. He acknowledged that passing a stopgap funding measure was not the current priority for House Republicans, who are pursuing Representative Matt Gaetz’s strategy of passing individual appropriations bills.
While the situation remains uncertain, Republicans remain hopeful that a stopgap funding bill will be agreed upon in time to prevent a government shutdown. However, some conservative holdouts, such as Representative Matt Rosendale of Montana, have made it clear that they will not support any continuing resolution.
As the deadline approaches, the outcome of the spending stalemate remains uncertain. Both sides must find common ground to prevent a government shutdown and ensure the continuation of essential services and programs.