Speaker McCarthy Grapples With Herculean Task of Unifying House Republicans to Avert Government Shutdown

Confronting new obstacles to his leadership, Speaker Kevin McCarthy is engaged in the formidable task of persuading House Republicans to coalesce around a conservative bill that would keep the federal government operational. This effort, though aimed at retaining his position as Speaker, holds minimal prospects for averting a government shutdown. Any legislation proposed by House Republicans is likely to face rejection in the Senate, where both Democrats and a majority of Republicans are in favor of maintaining government funding.

In a striking indicator of internal discord, House Republicans voted against their own defense legislation on Tuesday. The bill was defeated with a vote tally of 212-214, as five staunch conservatives voted against it, demanding a comprehensive strategy from McCarthy. Following the vote, McCarthy exited the House floor, later telling journalists, “You will find that I enjoy a challenge; this challenge might be larger than preferred, but we will persist.”

As the clock ticks down, Congress has until September 30 to finalize comprehensive government funding legislation and send it to President Joe Biden for approval, failing which the U.S. risks extensive federal closures and disruptions. Subsequent voting on the overall spending bill was consequently postponed.

“The responsibility now lies with Kevin,” stated Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, a member of the Freedom Caucus.

The latest proposal for government funding, a tenuous compromise between the hard-right Freedom Caucus and the more moderate Main Street conservatives, faltered even after McCarthy packed it with spending cuts and Republican priorities, particularly in border security.

In a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, McCarthy emphasized to Republicans the political fallout that would arise from a government shutdown, insisting that such a closure benefits no one. This week’s approach contrasted starkly with his emotional outburst in last week’s private meeting. McCarthy presented the funding proposal as a starting point for debate, allowing for input from rank-and-file members. Nonetheless, numerous Republicans informed McCarthy that they could not support the current plan. With a thin majority, McCarthy needs nearly full Republican support to proceed.

Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., a mediator for the Main Street group, later encouraged her colleagues not to let “the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

Tensions were palpable over the defense bill, marking the second attempt by McCarthy to advance it after abruptly pulling it from consideration the previous week. The strained atmosphere within the Republican ranks is evident as prominent figures jostle for influence—some aiming for leadership and others seeking to thwart compromise.

Leading Florida conservatives Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds engaged in public sniping, while freshman Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., openly criticized McCarthy as a “weak speaker.”

Veteran lawmaker Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., warned that internal strife could undermine House Republicans, as it had done to previous Speakers like John Boehner and Paul Ryan, who both left their roles earlier than planned due to perpetual threats of removal.

The temporary funding proposal that McCarthy is promoting envisages sharp spending cuts of over 8% across various government sectors, while exempting defense and veterans’ programs. It is designed to last for 31 days, giving House Republicans more time to approve conventional funding bills.

The White House released a memorandum outlining the potential adverse effects of the Republican funding plan, including reductions in border patrol, educational support, and essential services for seniors and children.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned against the “cruel” and “reckless” cuts that Republicans are contemplating.

At the heart of the issue, House Republicans are striving to overturn the agreement McCarthy previously reached with President Biden as part of debt ceiling negotiations. Despite approval and enactment into law, conservatives are now trying to dismantle it.

House Republicans are behind in their efforts, with any passed legislation likely to be stymied in the Senate, where bipartisan groups have already begun approving their own funding packages.

Skeptical Republicans view the current deadlock as a pivotal moment to hold McCarthy accountable for promises to slash overarching government spending.

Veteran Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho cautioned that a government shutdown would bring adverse consequences for the American public, stating, “It’s neither sound policy nor political strategy.”

With increasing pressures, some suggest that McCarthy might need to engage with Democrats for a bipartisan agreement, a move that could risk a leadership challenge from his own party’s right wing.

Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News reporter Kevin Freking.

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More about Speaker McCarthy Government Shutdown

• Kevin McCarthy’s Congressional Profile
• Overview of the Freedom Caucus
• Information on Main Street Conservatives
• Federal Government Shutdown: Consequences and History
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Stance on Federal Funding
• The Process of Passing Government Funding Legislation
• White House Memorandum on Proposed Republican Cuts
• Impact of Government Shutdown on Various Services
• House Republicans’ Internal Discord and Leadership Struggles
• Comprehensive Guide to Federal Budget and Spending