Staff Reports
Leaders in Washington are racing against the clock as they have just five days to pass a government funding bill in order to avoid a shutdown. Unfortunately, it seems like Congress is not on the same page, with the House and Senate each proposing their own versions of stopgap spending measures. This comes as lawmakers are still working on the annual budget, which is already over a month past its original October 1 deadline.
Speaker Mike Johnson struggles to sell two-step ‘laddered’ stopgap spending bill as Congress careens to shutdownhttps://t.co/gNC3kmcOmh pic.twitter.com/DRY8cccReq
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 13, 2023
The House Speaker, Mike Johnson, introduced a two-step approach to funding the government, but it has faced some hurdles. House Republicans are demanding drastic cuts before they approve any more spending, while Senate Republicans are criticizing the complicated nature of the staggered due dates. Democrats in both chambers have also voiced their opposition to the proposal.
Despite the disagreements, there is a sense of urgency to keep the government open, especially when it comes to foreign aid for Israel and Ukraine. Representative Michael McCaul from Texas emphasized the importance of delivering this aid package and warned against playing political games with it. Meanwhile, Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut expressed skepticism towards Johnson’s proposal but expressed his openness to considering the House’s ideas.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer is expected to present his own short-term funding measure later this week. Given the opposition Johnson’s plan is facing from some Republicans, he will likely need to gain support from Democrats in order to get his version passed. A number of Republican representatives, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, Chip Roy, and Warren Davidson, have already expressed their opposition to the proposed continuing resolution, as they believe it would maintain spending at its current levels.
Johnson is trying to convince skeptics that his approach is the best way forward. The vote in the House could happen as early as Tuesday, but it remains to be seen if his proposal will be successful. It’s worth noting that passing a similar measure was detrimental for Johnson’s predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Nevertheless, Johnson seems to have more support from ultra-conservatives who trust his ability to negotiate future spending cuts.
In this high-stakes political battle, it remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached before the deadline. Stay tuned for further updates on this contentious issue.
