As September comes to a close, House Republicans find themselves embroiled in internal strife, raising the specter of yet another government shutdown. With the September 30 funding deadline looming, Congress is pressed for time to pass full-year bills for government operations. The key question now is whether a short-term funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), acceptable to the House GOP, Senate Democrats, and President Joe Biden can be passed in time to avert a shutdown.
The Dilemma:
The primary stumbling block revolves around the contents of the short-term bill, with divisions among House Republicans. While the GOP generally leans fiscally conservative, far-right members advocate for more substantial spending cuts, attaching border security measures, and omitting Ukraine aid from any spending package, be it short or long term.
Current Negotiations:
All eyes are on the House, where a crucial vote is scheduled to take place on four spending bills related to long-term funding for various departments. However, it remains uncertain whether there will be enough votes to pass these bills. Notably, these bills are not expected to clear the Senate, making them insufficient to prevent a near-term shutdown.
Republican Discord:
The lack of consensus among House Republicans on a short-term spending bill persists. Some, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, argue against any short-term funding bill, insisting on significant budget cuts and asserting that short-term measures hinder long-term fiscal discipline. They emphasize the need for comprehensive negotiations on funding bills.
Speaker McCarthy’s Challenge:
Speaker McCarthy faces the delicate task of securing sufficient votes to prevent a shutdown without relying on Democratic support. A bipartisan deal could potentially jeopardize his position as speaker, as any GOP member can call for a leadership vote. McCarthy aims to find common ground by voting on longer-term bills, hoping this will garner support for a CR.
Potential Senate Solution:
The Senate is working to develop a bipartisan short-term spending package that could serve as a viable alternative. This “clean” CR is likely to exclude additional policy provisions, addressing concerns from conservatives. While it may pass the Senate, Democratic support will be crucial in the House, potentially impacting McCarthy’s leadership.
Conclusion:
The current impasse within the House GOP underscores the challenges in reaching a consensus to avert a government shutdown. Factions within the party have varying priorities, further complicating negotiations. As the September 30 deadline approaches, finding common ground and avoiding a government shutdown remains a pressing concern for lawmakers.