On Friday, staunch Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives turned down a proposal from their leader to provide short-term funding for the government. This decision has made it highly likely that some federal agencies will have to partially close starting this Sunday.
By a vote of 232-198, the House rejected a plan to keep the government funded for an additional 30 days, which would have prevented a shutdown. This bill aimed to reduce spending and place limits on immigration, both important issues for Republicans. However, given that the Senate is controlled by Democrats, these priorities had minimal chances of getting approved.
The Republicans, who have a majority in the chamber with 221 seats compared to the Democrats’ 212, are now facing a challenging situation without a clear plan to prevent a government shutdown. This shutdown could lead to the closure of national parks, disruptions in the pay for nearly 4 million federal workers, and significant disruptions in various areas like financial oversight and scientific research if funding isn’t extended beyond 12:01 a.m. ET (0401 GMT) on Sunday.
Following the vote, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy mentioned that the chamber might consider passing a funding extension, but without the conservative policies that had caused disagreements with Democrats. However, he didn’t provide specific details about what might happen next. It’s anticipated that the chamber will conduct more votes on Saturday to address this issue.
He said to reporters, “It’s considered a failure only if you give up.”
As for the Senate, there’s uncertainty about whether they’ll take action in time. The Senate was scheduled to consider a bipartisan bill on Saturday afternoon, aiming to fund the government until November 17th. However, there might be procedural obstacles that could push the final vote to as late as Tuesday.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressed on Friday that a government shutdown could harm the progress of the U.S. economy. It could lead to the suspension of programs for small businesses and children and potentially cause delays in critical infrastructure projects.
This potential shutdown would mark the fourth time in the past ten years that the government has come to a standstill. It’s happening just four months after a similar situation nearly caused the federal government to default on its massive $31 trillion debt. This recurring pattern of brinkmanship is causing concerns in the financial world, particularly on Wall Street. Moody’s, a ratings agency, has even cautioned that it could harm the United States’ creditworthiness.
Biden Expresses Concern About Significant Impact on the Military
President Biden expressed concern about the potential impact of a government shutdown on the armed forces. He emphasized that it’s crucial not to engage in political games when our troops are on duty, calling it a failure of duty.
During a retirement event for Senior General Mark Milley, a Democrat, Biden shared these thoughts.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had hoped that the Republican spending bill’s provisions related to the border would persuade those who have been resistant to preventing a shutdown.
However, in the end, 21 determined House Republicans joined forces with Democrats to defeat the bill.
Republican Representative Kat Cammack told reporters that there are some members who don’t seem to mind whether the government stays open or shuts down. She added, “The ones I believe are okay with a shutdown have never experienced one.”
Some members of Congress believe that instead of relying on short-term extensions, Congress should prioritize crafting detailed spending bills that cover the entire fiscal year, even if this means facing a government shutdown. The House has already passed four full-year bills, but these bills are unlikely to gain approval in the Senate.
Representative Matt Gaetz expressed this viewpoint after voting against the temporary bill on Friday. He stated, “What works best is rolling up our sleeves and focusing on individual bills that address specific issues.”
On the other hand, some Republicans recognize the need to collaborate with Democrats to pass a temporary funding bill that could gain approval in the Senate and receive President Biden’s support. Republican Representative Don Bacon pointed out that this approach is evident to some, saying, “Some people are missing the obvious.”
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is also considering this approach, but he is opposed to including additional aid for Ukraine, which President Biden has requested and Senate lawmakers are including in their temporary funding bill.
It’s worth noting that former President Donald Trump, who is expected to be Biden’s opponent in the 2024 election, criticized Senate Republicans for cooperating with Democrats on this matter.
