Congress Avoids Government Shutdown in Last-Minute Deal
How do you feel about another government shutdown?
UPDATE - September 30, 9:30pm ET
Hours before a potential shutdown, the Senate passed a short-term funding deal on an 88-9 vote.
The deal includes a 45-day continuing resolution with disaster relief funds, an extension of a federal flood insurance program, and FAA reauthorization. It does not include U.S. aid for Ukraine.
UPDATE - September 30, 3:05pm ET
The House of Representatives has approved a temporary funding bill aimed at avoiding a government shutdown set to begin at 12:01 tonight.
The Senate still has to approve the stopgap measure.
Updated September 28th, 2023, 2:30 p.m. EST
- The two chambers of Congress are making divergent efforts to stop the shutdown on Sunday, which may only increase the odds of federal funds running out. The Democratic Senate is pushing a bipartisan stopgap funding bill while the House prepares to vote on GOP spending bills with limited chances of becoming laws.
- The Senate's bill, known as a continuing resolution, received a 76-22 vote to open debate. The bill would extend funding until Nov. 17 and authorize roughly $6 billion for domestic disaster response funding and to Ukraine. The measure passed two procedural hurdles with strong bipartisan support this week, but House Republicans have already rejected the resolution.
- The House has four partisan appropriation bills are in the works. Even if the measures overcome the solid Democratic opposition, they would not alone prevent a shutdown. Conservatives spearheading these efforts are pushing for deep spending cuts and threatening Speaker Kevin McCarthy's position.
- McCarthy suggested a meeting with Biden, which the White House rejected, saying it was up to Republicans to fix the crisis. Biden said he doesn't believe a shutdown has to be inevitable and urged House Republicans to "do their job, fund the government."
Updated September 21, 2023, 4:45 p.m. EST
- For the second time this week, the House failed to start a debate on the necessary measure to fund the government after five conservative members blocked the bill. The outcast representatives are demanding additional spending cuts.
- With another government shutdown around the corner, Washington leaders left town for the week.
- Rep Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said:
"We are very dysfunctional right now."
- Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), a moderate representative, said:
"For my colleagues, they have to come to a realization: If they are unable or unwilling to govern, others will. And in a divided government where you have Democrats controlling the Senate, a Democrat controlling the White House, there needs to be a realization that you're not going to get everything you want."
Updated September 19, 2023, 2:15 p.m. EST
- The House has decided to postpone the vote on the short-term funding measure as Republican leadership and far-right representatives wrestle with changes to the legislation.
- The U.S. national debt reached $33 trillion on Monday — a milestone reported by the Treasury Department as the possibility of a shutdown becomes increasingly more likely.
- While it was doubtful that the measure would have passed if voted on, many observers are critiquing the government's lack of action as the deadline to fund the government approaches.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) reported that the House GOP was "nowhere near" passing the legislation. Similarly, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) told reporters that zero progress was made this afternoon.
What’s the story?
- The House is racing to avoid a potential government shutdown as federal funding dries up. Two key GOP factions created a short-term, stopgap measure to fund the government through Oct. 31, but it’s receiving pushback.
- A few members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and the moderate Main Street Caucus sponsored the bill. The short-term spending bill would impose an 8% spending cut on federal agencies — not including the national defense budget or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- The temporary measure does not include the White House’s request for $40 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine and natural disasters, which Senate leaders from both parties want to attach to any temporary funding bill.
- The framework needs 218 votes to pass in the House. Speaker Kevin McCarthy is under pressure to get approval from as many Republican representatives as possible, and at least three have already signaled they will not sign off on the bill.
- Democrats are highly expected to reject the bill, leading many to believe a government shutdown is more than likely.
What they’re saying
- Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) said on X:
“It’s crystal clear a Gov’t shutdown is coming. I represent 66% of the Texas-Mexico border – a hollowing Continuing Resolution built to win a messaging battle does nothing to keep America safe.”
- Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) wrote on X as well:
“No CR. Pass the damn approps bills. Roll back the crazy bureaucracy to pre-COVID levels. Now.”
- In a statement, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said the resolution was “extreme.”
“Less than two weeks away from a government shutdown, House Republicans are still more focused on introducing extreme funding bills that would cut funding to the National Institutes of Health including funding for cancer research, defund the police, and decrease resources to important allies like Ukraine and Israel than working on bipartisan solution that could be enacted.”
- When asked in an interview on Sunday, McCarthy said the shutdown “would only give strength to Democrats.” He continued:
“It would give the power to Biden. It wouldn’t pay our troops. It wouldn’t pay our border agents. More people would be coming across. I actually want to achieve something.”
- House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said:
“House Republicans have made it clear that they are determined to shut down the government and try to jam their extreme right-wing ideology down the throats of the American people.”
How do you feel about another government shutdown?
-Jamie Epstein
(Photo credit: iStock/Douglas Rissing)
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There have been 21 government shutdowns due to the budget not being approved in a timely manner were federal workers went unpaid during that time, GDP reduced, security downgrades and increased deficits. The 5w shutdown (2018-2019) reduced economic output (GDP) by $20B according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Moody’s. It could also lead to a further downgrade of US securities (Fitch downgraded after the debt limit stand off due to poor governance). And it adds to the givernment deficit with stopping and restarting (reworking) work. The last shutdown added $2B to the deficit.
Apparently the Freedom Caucus doesn’t care as long as they can grandstand, create campaign PR snd fund raise for their own political aspirations and careers on the backs of US taxpayers.
Shutdown History
2018-2019 (President Donald Trump): 34 days 2018 (President Donald Trump): 3 days
2018 (President Donald Trump): 1 day.
2013 (President Barack Obama): 16 days
1995-1996 (President Bill Clinton): 21 days
1995 (President Bill Clinton): Nov. 5 days
1990 (President George H.W. Bush): 3 days
1987 (President Ronald Reagan): 1 day
1986 (President Ronald Reagan): 1 day
1984 (President Ronald Reagan): 1 day
1984 (President Ronald Reagan): 2 days
1983 (President Ronald Reagan): 3 days
1982 (President Ronald Reagan): 3 days
1982 (President Ronald Reagan): 1 day
1981 (President Ronald Reagan): 2 days
1979 (President Jimmy Carter): 11 days
1978 (President Jimmy Carter): 18 days
1977 (President Jimmy Carter): 8 days
1977 (President Jimmy Carter): 8 days
1977 (President Jimmy Carter): 12 days
1976 (President Gerald Ford): 10 days
“Under the Antideficiency Act (initially passed in 1884 and amended in 1950), federal agencies cannot spend or obligate any money without an appropriation (or other approval) from Congress. When Congress fails to enact the 12 annual appropriation bills, federal agencies must cease all non-essential functions until Congress acts. This is known as a government shutdown. If Congress enacts some but not all of the 12 appropriations bills, only agencies without appropriations have to shut down; this is known as a partial shutdown.”
“Evidence from past government shutdowns shows that they reduce economic growth, create financial uncertainty for families, and cause unnecessary government spending. “
“The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the five-week partial government shutdown in 2018-2019 reduced economic output by $11 billion in the following two quarters—including $3 billion that the U.S. economy never regained. Moody's Analytics estimated that the 2013 full government shutdown reduced GDP growth by $20 billion. “
https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/democrats/issue-briefs?id=B7FCE9F4-4DFE-495C-8263-AD277CE4716B
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-is-a-government-shutdown-and-why-are-we-likely-to-have-another-one/
https://www.causes.com/comments/65226
https://www.thoughtco.com/government-shutdown-history-3368274
I don't want another government shutdown, but this one will fall squarely on the GOP if it happens. Because the Republicans cannot govern and cannot pass bills that the American people support, they deserve whatever outcome their failures bring them.
I'm sorry for the federal workers and all others who will be affected, but I hope everyone knows who to blame when it's time to vote next year.
Pleased that there won't be a Shutdown!
Pissed that aid for Ukraine has been left out!
Back here again in 45 days!
Will losers like MTG, Gaetz and their authoritarian ilk, make a move to replace McCarthy?
Some small thanks to my Reps for not getting in the way. However, it's pretty obvious you are still authoritarian and fascist leaning, dump/Putin/Xi/Un thingy lickers by abandoning support for Ukraine! Who's the real traitors here!? REPUBLICANS!
The budget crisis is now a semi annual crisis! When will congress do their job and stop these emergencies.
Republicans have become an unrecognizable party! All of their actions appear to be aimed at destroying our government and our way of life. They want outrageous demands and less freedoms. Senator Tuberville, alone, is preventing over 300 promotions to make the military deny abortion care to its members. They think they can demand that the country submit to their demands, no matter whether the majority agrees or not. Another shut down will diminish our ratings globally and will take years to recover from.
We need for the federal government to PERMANENTLY shut down all nonessential services.
Republicans have shown they cannot be trusted. They had an agreement with the president to fund the government and are now renegging on that agreement. It's bad enough that they waste all their time with meaningless investigations. Now they won't even keep the government operating. How in the world can they be trusted. Start governing and quit the BS.
We're not going to listen to any MAGA people trying to blame President Biden or the Democrats for this.
President Biden and Leader Schumer sat down with McCarthy in June and made a deal we largely didn't love to raise the debt ceiling. That was the deal on the budget that was supposed to guide the spending bills for now, because the House GOP wanted to force spending cuts in advance to raise the debt ceiling instead of waiting for the budgeting process.
The House GOP under McCarthy has decided to blow up that deal and try to get even more cuts than the ones the Democrats agreed to in June.
Since the House GOP would need Senate Democrats and the President to agree to anything they want at this point, it's the House GOP's fault that the budget bills haven't passed. Democrats did the negotiations and agreed to their demands once; why bother trying to work with them again after they blew up the deal?
McCarthy, Trump, and company own this shutdown, and they should pay at the ballot box in 2024.
There is simply no excuse for letting a very small minority of extremists determine the policies and laws our entire country has to live with. People in a position to do so need to wake up and do something about it.
Talk of financial crisis by the US is an embarassment that has vecome virtually routine. No wonder a large majority are now clamoring for new leadership .
The democrats need to stop spending period!
cut out the pork on all these bills for your personal interests you Democrats
The far right conservative evangelist worship there faults God and disgrace Jesus Christ all in the same setting! Trump far from God or Christ and is most likely is a follower of antichrist.
This is all done in the name of God!
McCarthy did the only sensible thing: start to work with the grownups.
I learned in high civics that our government was for the people. Could our representatives please adhere to that concept rather than vote for "the party"
If all else fails to get what you want, pull the big red switch on the wall, which will open a door that is not there
The radical extreme right wing republicans trying to shut down the government are enemies of America and enemies of democracy. They should be arrested, removed from congress and expelled from the country. Failing that, they should be jailed for life as enemies of America.
It seems no one is getting anything done due to political posturing!
Go to work to run the government and quit posturing and playing to the extremes.
Defunct institutions
congress has failed
scotus has failed
bozo and his clowns still free running amok polluting this country
Supreme Court declines to consider longshot bid to disqualify Trump from running for president
The Majority of Americans are NOT for what the so-called Freedcom Caucus wants. Therefore, if they try to manuever to shut down the Government, their Colleagues should vote to remove them from office. Furthermore, they should also loose their salaries-permantely, be banned from every holding public office again, and also loose their very sweet medical benefits. Anyone who refuses to do this should loose the same.
Has anyone else noticed that Matt Gaetz voice pitch sounds like that of a pre-pubescent boy! I'm quite sure that has something to do with the development of his brain.
We elect people to do what is good for ALL Americans, not to pander to a select few hard right radicals bent on turning the country into their version of the turn of the (previous) century! In keeping with their CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES all members of congress should loose their salaries, bonuses and perks when there is a government shutdown. This should also include their access to healthcare. It's time for the people we PAY to work on our behalf to feel the weight of their decisions personally!
Waste of time!
Congress has to act like responsible adults. Right now, they are behaving like irresponsible children.
The bipartisan deal prevented a major catastrophe, but major work remains on the table because Ukraine is of equal importance in world affairs. The US cannot give in to Putin and allow him to take advantage of Ukraine and any other nation he feels a need to take over in his quest for power in the world. Thus, the majority of the decision kept the US government functioning, but the absence of money for Ukraine means the deal is not done. And, 45 days has simply delayed the inevitable again--Republican crazies in Congress will again obstruct what is needed. No one is dealing with the true elephant--taxes need to be raised on the wealthy and corporation back to where they were in the 1970s. The budget can be balanced, but we have to pay for our work that is needed here and around the world. That is leadership and we lack it right now.
This is absolutely stupid!! Why can't our elected officials do their ,(!&@?$&@$,?' Job?!?! Instead they spend their time doing stupid impeachment inquiries that have no basis; trying to get rid of the Speaker of the House; and the list goes on!!
MATT GAETZ and his idiot cronies need to be kicked out of Congress! and until they are, NOTHING WILL EVER GET ACCOMPLISHED not matter what kevin mccarthy does. THIS IS TOTAL BULLSHIT!
Congress had better start working together to avoid these problems. they know this is coming and they need to work TOGETHER! They should also lose their pay if they do not reach a deal like other workers do! They are acting like spoiled children! Worse!
There is NO reason for a self-inflicted government shut down - EVER!
Congress,.... GOVERN! Do you job! It's too work for the people and not obstruct. A handful of anarchists must not dictate for the majority.
All of Conress whould be relieved of their duties, responsbililties, not paid, and replaced with half the number and with elected officials who care and can get something done to make our Republic safe and secure. Shutdowns and Continuing Resolutions are not governing and it is not a budget process. It is a means to hide under the specifics plus hide the excess and pork in each district hoping to buy votes. Very sad.