In a race against time, bipartisan congressional leaders are scrambling to avert a potential government shutdown before the looming deadline on January 20th. However, despite the initial optimism, experts express skepticism about the ability to reach a resolution in time.
The current spending agreement, which covers four crucial appropriations bills, is set to expire at the end of the day on January 19. These bills include measures dealing with Agriculture, Military Construction/VA, Energy & Water, and Transportation/Housing & Urban Development. If not funded in time, these departments and programs could face severe disruptions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has indicated his intention to process the four bills individually, a move that presents logistical challenges and raises doubts about its feasibility. With no appropriations bills scheduled for activity this week, time is running out, and the House may need to consolidate the bills or resort to alternative measures to expedite the process.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is endorsing a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to buy appropriators more time to draft the spending bills in line with the bipartisan agreement. However, the Senate’s procedural complexities and the need to synchronize with the House pose additional hurdles.
The possibility of a government shutdown remains high, especially as some conservatives advocate for using the shutdown as leverage to advance their priorities, such as securing the border. While bipartisan Congressional veterans view a shutdown as counterproductive, a faction of hardline conservatives sees it as a necessary step to make a statement.
The political implications of a shutdown are mixed. Speaker Johnson may gain support from skeptical conservatives if a shutdown occurs, while some Republicans express buyer’s remorse over their previous support for the spending deal. However, no side has historically benefited politically from a government shutdown, and any temporary gains may be overshadowed by the chaos and negative public sentiment it generates.
Moreover, the topline agreement reached so far fails to address how lawmakers will fund the government beyond the February 2 deadline. If Congress fails to address all 12 annual spending plans by that date, a complete government shutdown becomes a real possibility.
As the deadline approaches, Johnson finds himself in a challenging position, attempting to sell the deal to his members while facing criticism from conservative factions. On the Democratic side, satisfaction with the agreement is evident, as deeper cuts were avoided, and a shutdown is not in their interest. However, Democrats also recognize the potential political advantage a shutdown could provide, underscoring the chaos within the House Republican Conference.
In addition to the shutdown possibility, discussions around an interim spending deal, known as a CR, have emerged. Republicans propose a one percent across-the-board cut to all federal programs, with the Pentagon being hit the hardest. Democrats, on the other hand, favor a regular CR that would extend current funding levels, which Johnson opposes.
With the clock ticking, lawmakers face a challenging task of finding a viable solution that avoids a government shutdown while addressing the various competing priorities. The outcome remains uncertain, and the nation anxiously awaits a resolution before time runs out.
Source: Chad Pergram, Senior Congressional Correspondent for FOX News Channel.
