Title: US Government Shutdown Looms as House Republicans Refuse to Back Funding Bill
Subtitle: Kevin McCarthy’s Leadership Faces Challenges as Time Runs Out
Date: 28 September 2023
The United States is on the brink of a government shutdown as House Republicans remain steadfast in their opposition to a last-minute Senate proposal for a short-term funding agreement. With a deadline of midnight on Saturday to pass a new budget, federal employees face the possibility of unpaid leave.
Despite the Senate’s efforts to forge ahead with a temporary funding agreement, House leader Kevin McCarthy has expressed optimism that a late agreement can still be reached. However, the likelihood of a shutdown has grown as both chambers pursue conflicting funding plans.
The Senate, with bipartisan support, overwhelmingly passed a procedural vote on a short-term funding bill that would avoid a government shutdown until 17 November, providing more time for Congress to reach a long-term budget deal. However, this bill now faces opposition in the House, where several hardline members of McCarthy’s Republican majority refuse to support any stopgap measure.
This group has consistently threatened to remove McCarthy as House Speaker if he seeks Democratic support to pass a funding bill without their approval. McCarthy has made it clear that he does not plan to take up the Senate legislation in the House, raising concerns about the consequences of a potential shutdown.
President Joe Biden criticized McCarthy’s stance, accusing him of prioritizing his speakership over American interests. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged McCarthy to stop allowing the far-right faction within his party to drive his decisions.
Meanwhile, the House is expected to hold its own votes on short-term spending bills, but these bills are unlikely to pass in the Senate. McCarthy has suggested that addressing the issue of border security in the Senate bill could lead to a potential compromise, but no concrete steps have been taken in that direction.
While Chief of Staff Jeff Zients mentioned the possibility of a last-minute deal being cut on Saturday, he stated that President Biden has no immediate plans to personally meet with McCarthy. Zients emphasized the need for the House Republicans to come together and fund the government without involving the president in the negotiations.
The deepening ideological divide between the moderate and right wings of McCarthy’s caucus has complicated the situation. Although the right-wing faction holds only a small number of seats, its influence within the narrow Republican majority is significant. Their demand for spending cuts and conservative priorities has further complicated McCarthy’s leadership.
To overcome the impasse, McCarthy may need to seek support from the opposing party, potentially triggering a motion to vacate and risking a vote to oust him as Speaker. The coming days will determine whether a resolution can be reached in time to avert a government shutdown and provide long-term stability for federal agencies and workers.
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