As the clock ticks down to a potential government shutdown, Congress finds itself in a frantic last-minute scramble to avert a fiscal crisis. With less than 18 hours remaining before wide swaths of the federal government face closure, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are grappling with internal divisions and political brinkmanship.
House Republicans' Infighting Threatens Government Operations
The United States teeters on the edge of its fourth partial government shutdown in the last decade, primarily due to internal conflicts within the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The House has been unable to pass legislation that would fund the government beyond the start of the fiscal year on October 1.
Senate Democrats Seek Stopgap Funding Bill
In contrast, the Democratic-controlled Senate is poised to advance a stopgap funding bill to keep the government afloat temporarily. However, the final vote on this measure might be delayed for days, prolonging the uncertainty.
Impending Consequences for Federal Employees and Services
The consequences of a government shutdown are far-reaching, affecting hundreds of thousands of federal employees who could be left without funding for their work. Essential services like airport screening and border patrols will continue, but other critical functions such as scientific research and nutrition aid to millions of vulnerable individuals could grind to a halt.
Notably, most of the government's 4 mn-plus employees, whether working or not, would not receive their paychecks during a shutdown.
Impact Beyond Government Operations
The looming shutdown has even disrupted events outside of government functions. For instance, celebrations for former President Jimmy Carter's 99th birthday in Atlanta were moved up from October 1 to September 30 to avoid potential disruptions.
A Repeat of Recent Fiscal Dramas
This congressional standoff follows closely on the heels of another fiscal crisis earlier this year when Congress brought the federal government to the brink of defaulting on its $31.4 trillion debt. These recurring dramas have not gone unnoticed by Wall Street, where concerns have risen about potential damage to U.S. creditworthiness, as warned by Moody's ratings agency.
Tradition of Stopgap Funding Bills
In typical fashion, Congress often passes stopgap spending bills to provide more time for detailed negotiations on full fiscal year funding legislation. However, this year's situation is complicated by a group of House Republicans who are pushing for stricter immigration policies and lower spending levels compared to those agreed upon during the spring's debt-ceiling standoff.
Intra-Party Tensions in the House
On September 29, 21 Republicans broke ranks with their party to vote alongside Democrats against legislation that mirrored these demands. Instead, they argued that the House should focus on passing comprehensive spending bills for the entire fiscal year, even if it meant facing a shutdown in the short term. This division sparked frustration among other Republicans, who believed the opportunity to advance conservative policies had been missed.
Speaker McCarthy's Strategy
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hinted at a potential strategy to rely on Democratic support for passing a stopgap bill that maintains current funding levels. However, this approach may invite a challenge to his leadership from hardline Republicans.
Senate's Procedural Vote and Ongoing Hurdles
The Senate is scheduled to conduct a procedural vote to extend government funding through November 17, a measure with broad support from both Republicans and Democrats. However, the Senate's procedural hurdles mean that a final vote on passage may be delayed until October 3. Additionally, the two chambers must reconcile their differences before any funding bill reaches President Joe Biden's desk.
Ongoing Negotiations and Challenges
As the deadline inches closer, Congress remains embroiled in negotiations and challenges, including House Republicans' opposition to $6bn in Ukraine aid included in the Senate bill. Despite the obstacles, lawmakers are working tirelessly to find a solution and avert a government shutdown.
The fate of government operations and the livelihoods of countless federal employees hang in the balance as Congress races against the clock to reach a resolution.
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