GOP Rejects Funding Bill: Republicans in the U.S. House voted against their leader’s plan on Friday. This plan aimed to aid the government’s finances in the short term. Still, it was swiftly rejected, indicating an imminent partial shutdown of federal agencies on Sunday.
By a vote count of 232 to 198, the House rejected a plan to extend government funding for 30 days. This would have prevented a shutdown. Despite including “fiscal austerity” and “limits on immigration” in the bill, the Senate, controlled by Democrats, strongly opposed these ideas.
With a slim 221-212 majority, Republicans are in chaos and lack a clear plan to halt the impending shutdown. Suppose the lifeline is not extended beyond this Sunday. In that case, national parks may close, federal workers’ pay could change, and various activities like money management and scientific study may be slowed down.
After the vote, Speaker McCarthy said funds could be extended without conservative ideas that hindered agreement. But it still needs to be determined what should happen next. The next day, there will probably be more options.
The Senate’s answer remains a secret despite longer rainy days. A bill to be discussed in the Senate on Saturday aims to keep the government running until November 17 with bipartisan support. If there are tech problems, the decision may be delayed until Tuesday.
Janet Yellen, head of the U.S. Treasury, expressed concerns about a government shutdown’s negative impact on the economy, halting programs aiding small businesses. Also, it can hinder timely infrastructure changes.
This closing, the fourth in a decade, would signify bad things to come. Four months ago, the government almost did not pay its $31 trillion debt due to a similar dispute. This trend worries Wall Street, including Moody’s ratings agency, as it could harm the country’s creditworthiness.
Also Read: US business leaders Brace for Prolonged Government Shutdown Amid Uncertainty
President Biden warned about the consequences of a shutdown for the troops. At the retirement gathering for General Mark Milley, his words made an impact.
We cannot play political games when troops are on the front lines. Biden called it a complete lack of responsibility.
Despite high hopes for the border-focused parts of the Republican budget plan, it lacked sufficient support. McCarthy had to convince holdouts who opposed ending the shutdown.
In the end, 21 Republicans in the House voted against the bill with Democrats. Rep. Kat Cammack, a Republican, said some members were not concerned about a government shutdown. She said those who had experienced one differed from those who hadn’t.
The holdouts argue that Congress should make budget bills covering the entire fiscal year rather than relying on short-term extensions. This is true even with the threat of a shutdown. Four bills passed by the House, but the Senate will not support them.
Matt Gaetz supported careful planning of single-subject measures after rejecting the stopgap measure. Other Republicans, however, saw the sense in collaborating with Democrats for a stopgap plan acceptable to the Senate and Biden administration.
Hakeem Jeffries, a key House Democrat, said, “We are in the midst of a GOP civil war that is been ongoing for months, now risking a disastrous shutdown.”
There are cracks in the Republican party. McCarthy’s leadership could be at risk if he depended too much on Democratic support. There is a chance of a government shutdown due to disagreements and unresolved stalemate over agency spending for fiscal 2024. This problem pits compromise against stubbornness.
Our Reader’s Queries
Why did the Republicans reject the funding bill?
The proposed bill aimed to reduce spending and limit immigration, which are key priorities for the Republican party. However, given the current political climate, it was unlikely to pass in the Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats.
Did the House Republicans cancel votes on funding bills as shutdown deadline nears?
With just one week left until a potential government shutdown, House Republicans have suffered a setback as they were forced to cancel votes on two funding bills within 48 hours. This is a clear sign of dysfunction within the chamber and a challenge for new Speaker Mike Johnson. The countdown to the funding deadline continues, and the pressure is on to find a solution before it’s too late.
What is the funding bill for 2023?
The Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2023 has a whopping $1.7 trillion in discretionary resources spread across the fiscal year’s 12 appropriations bills. Out of this, $800 billion is allocated for non-defense funding, which is a significant increase of 9.3 percent from the previous year’s budget.
What do Republicans want to avoid government shutdown?
On Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson presented a unique proposal to prevent a partial government shutdown. His plan involves extending government funding for certain agencies and programs until Jan. 19, while continuing funding for others until Feb. 2. This approach is not typical for a stopgap spending bill.