House GOP struggle to avoid government shutdown causes chaos
The ongoing battle to prevent a government shutdown is once again exposing the divisions within the House GOP’s small majority. House Republican leaders had hoped to avoid a repeat of last year’s chaotic funding ordeal by setting an ambitious goal to pass all 12 individual appropriations bills before the August recess.
However, this plan has hit a roadblock. Many rank-and-file Republicans are frustrated with the GOP rebels who are pushing for unpopular votes on measures that are unlikely to make it into the final bills after negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Some GOP lawmakers have gone so far as to accuse the rebels of engaging in “political masturbation,” while the rebels argue that the current legislative process is deeply flawed and needs to be changed.
One House Republican expressed their frustration, saying, “Most of them I do philosophically agree with, so it’s not that it’s tough. It’s that they’re unnecessary. We know they’re not going anywhere.”
Another GOP lawmaker echoed this sentiment, criticizing the futility of pushing amendments that have no chance of passing and only serve to stall progress. They emphasized the importance of focusing on passing bills and doing the work that needs to be done.
Initially, GOP leaders had aimed to pass a bill funding the Justice and Commerce departments this week. However, the bill faced opposition due to the absence of an amendment defunding prosecutions against former President Trump, leading to delays in its approval.
Elsewhere, the Energy and Water appropriations bill was suddenly pulled from the House floor schedule on Tuesday evening, highlighting the challenges faced in moving forward with these funding bills.
It is becoming increasingly likely that Congress will have to resort to passing a short-term extension of this year’s funding, known as a continuing resolution (CR). This approach is expected to face resistance from fiscal hawks who voted against similar measures last year.
Ultimately, the decision on how to proceed will have significant implications for the next steps, particularly in the event of a change in presidential leadership. The final resolution will need to be negotiated with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York.
Reflecting on the current situation, Rep. French Hill from Arkansas expressed his disappointment at the lack of consensus in passing all the appropriations bills before the August recess. He emphasized the need for members to set realistic goals and objectives for a CR until after the election.
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole confirmed that a short-term bill would indeed be necessary to avert a partial government shutdown. He underscored the importance of reaching a decision by the end of the year, regardless of the election outcome.
In conclusion, the impending government funding challenges highlight the complexities and divisions within the House GOP as they navigate the appropriations process. The need for compromise and efficient decision-making is more critical than ever to avoid a disruptive shutdown and ensure the smooth functioning of the government.
