Speaker McCarthy is running out of options to stop a shutdown as conservatives balk at a new plan

Speaker Kevin McCarthy is facing a dwindling set of options as he grapples with the challenge of preventing a government shutdown. Even his proposal to incorporate stringent border security provisions failed to satisfy the far-right wing of the Republican House majority.

In a recent conference with Republicans, Speaker McCarthy emphasized the need to be prepared to work through the weekend to pass a continuing resolution, a stopgap measure to keep government offices operational beyond the September 30 deadline. Nevertheless, the looming political repercussions of a federal shutdown are causing concern among many.

“I’ve told all of Congress you’re not going to go home. We’re going to continue to work through this,” McCarthy declared, indicating his determination to find a solution. He also downplayed the idea of compromising with Democrats and expressed confidence in the ongoing flow of innovative ideas from Republicans.

Despite the pressure, McCarthy is determined to explore alternative routes to avoid a shutdown. He proposed a Thursday vote on a one-month funding bill, a product of negotiations between the hard-right House Freedom Caucus and the more moderate Main Street Caucus. This proposal included a 1% reduction in last year’s spending levels and various Republican initiatives related to border security and immigration, albeit at the cost of an over 8% cut in other spending areas.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized this proposal, calling it “slapdash” and “reckless.” With Democrats controlling the Senate and unlikely to accept conservative options, McCarthy’s best hope at this point is to initiate discussions with the other chamber.

However, the road ahead remains uncertain, with time running out to reach an agreement. McCarthy planned to hold a vote on a Department of Defense spending bill followed by the stopgap funding measure, but support for these measures is not guaranteed.

McCarthy is now turning to conservative factions within the House Republican majority, hoping to find a united path forward. The clock is ticking, with only eight working days left in the session before funding runs out.

Despite his warnings about the political consequences of a shutdown, McCarthy is facing resistance from some Republicans who view the proposed package as insufficient in addressing border security and budget cuts. Many are bracing for a potential government closure next month, with the business community expressing concerns about the lack of a clear path for reopening the government.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and the Biden administration have also highlighted the potential damage from a funding stoppage, emphasizing the importance of maintaining economic momentum.

In this tense environment, McCarthy faces the challenge of navigating a bipartisan solution to keep the government operational, all while contending with internal party dynamics and the looming specter of a government shutdown.

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More about Government Shutdown

• House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Politico)
• Federal Government Shutdown (Reuters)
• Continuing Resolution (CNBC)
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NBC News)
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Fox Business)
• Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (CNBC)
• House Republican Factions (AP News)