Facing an Imminent Government Shutdown, Congress Enters State of Emergency

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With only five days remaining before a government shutdown takes effect, Congressional lawmakers are in a state of high alert. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is grappling with a revolt among far-right Republicans determined to cut federal spending, regardless of its impact on federal services for millions of U.S. citizens.

As legislators reconvene, the path forward remains unclear, plagued by escalating tensions and restricted options. A series of bills intended to fund specific government sectors is set for a House vote on Tuesday evening, but it is far from certain that McCarthy has the backing required to proceed.

On the other side of the aisle, the Senate is crafting a bipartisan interim measure aimed at averting a government shutdown. This stopgap measure is intended to extend funding beyond the looming Saturday deadline. However, the inclusion of additional financial aid for Ukraine has hit a roadblock, facing opposition from some Republicans in both chambers who are against increased war spending.

In light of the escalating turmoil, President Joe Biden has admonished far-right Republicans for their stringent tactics, emphasizing that one of Congress’s fundamental duties is to ensure federal funding.

Biden has called on House Republicans to honor the debt agreement he previously brokered with McCarthy. This agreement, which established federal funding levels, received bipartisan approval and became law.

“We shook hands on an agreement, and now they’re backing out,” said Biden late Monday. “If House Republicans fail to fulfill their obligations, we should question their qualifications for public office.”

Should the government shut down, there would be far-reaching implications for the U.S. economy and the everyday lives of millions who either work for the government or depend on its services. For instance, air traffic controllers could work without pay, and about 7 million participants in the Women, Infants and Children program could lose vital nutritional benefits, according to White House data.

The impending crisis takes place against the backdrop of the 2024 elections. Donald Trump, the frontrunner Republican candidate to challenge Biden, has been instigating Congressional Republicans to undermine the deal reached between McCarthy and Biden.

Republicans are further being swayed by former Trump administration officials who are plotting to shrink federal operations should Trump regain presidency in 2024. Adding fuel to the fire, this week House Republicans are initiating their first impeachment inquiry hearing against Biden, focusing on his son Hunter Biden’s business activities.

Trump has taken to social media to incite the Republicans, urging them to “shut it down” if they don’t get what they want.

Amid the chaos, McCarthy faces internal challenges. His recent attempt to move forward a defense funding bill was derailed by a faction of far-right Republicans, causing legislative deadlock and forcing lawmakers to adjourn for the weekend with no resolution in sight.

After a meeting of the House Rules Committee over the weekend, McCarthy expressed optimism about a new legislative package covering Defense, Homeland Security, Agriculture, and State and Foreign Operations. However, high-profile Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed her firm opposition due to the package’s provision for at least $300 million for the war in Ukraine.

The hard-right faction’s demands continue to evolve. They are pushing for the cancellation of the deal McCarthy brokered with Biden and are advocating for greater spending cuts, citing rising national debt.

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, another influential Trump ally, stated on Fox News that while a government shutdown is undesirable, it is “preferable to continuing down the path leading to America’s financial collapse.”

As time dwindles, senators are attempting to draft a temporary funding mechanism known as a continuing resolution (CR) to maintain government operations beyond Saturday. However, they have encountered challenges in adding supplemental funding for Ukraine as requested by Biden, facing resistance from a subset of Republicans.

Negotiations are expected to continue into the night. The White House Office of Management and Budget announced that it will continue to collaborate with members of both parties to secure supplemental funding for Ukraine and other urgent priorities like disaster relief.

With the clock ticking, several hardline lawmakers have made it clear that they will not support any temporary measure, instead pushing for a comprehensive debate on federal funding.

___ This report includes contributions from Big Big News correspondents Seung Min Kim, Kevin Freking, and Mary Clare Jalonick.

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More about government shutdown

• Government Shutdown Explained: What It Means for Federal Agencies
• Understanding Bipartisan Efforts in Congress: How They Work
• President Biden’s Statements on Federal Funding
• The Influence of Far-Right Republicans in the House
• Senate Plans for Stopgap Funding Measures
• The Impact of Government Shutdowns on the U.S. Economy
• The 2024 Presidential Elections: The Role of Donald Trump
• Ukraine Aid and U.S. Foreign Policy: What You Need to Know