Staff Reports
House Republicans are divided over whether to pass a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) expressed his expectation to pass a CR during a closed meeting with the GOP conference, emphasizing the need to finish all the work in time. However, McCarthy made it clear that he would not support a resolution that pushes the must-pass legislation to the end of the year. Some members of the House Republican Conference agree with the idea of a CR, but believe it should be truly short-term to allow more time for negotiations.
From a conservative perspective, a government shutdown should be avoided at all costs. While passing 12 new appropriations bills would be the ideal way to reduce spending, it is not feasible given the time constraints. It’s important to remember that a shutdown or a CR does not address the root causes of reckless spending, but it is a temporary solution to keep the government funded and functioning. Republicans should focus on negotiating packages that both their conference and the Senate can support, rather than risking a shutdown that would only serve to politicize the process.
The Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative lawmakers with significant influence, has not yet established a position on the spending legislation, but is expected to release a statement in the coming days. The caucus has the power to complicate the budget process further if its demands are not met. However, some members of the Freedom Caucus have expressed their opposition to a continuing resolution unless certain policy wins, such as passing the House GOP energy and border security bills, are achieved. It remains to be seen when the caucus will release its official stance and what its demands will be.
While Republicans are grappling with the issue of a CR, they are also facing another fiscal challenge. President Joe Biden has requested additional military aid for Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion. This request has already been met with opposition from Republicans, who argue that the focus should be on problems within the United States rather than spending money on foreign aid. Republicans who oppose the Ukraine aid request may add another layer of complexity to the budget negotiations.
In the end, it’s unclear whether lawmakers will be able to reach an agreement before the September 30 deadline, which would lead to a government shutdown. House Republicans are expected to meet again after the Labor Day holiday to continue discussions. However, it is crucial for them to prioritize finding a solution that keeps the government funded and avoids unnecessary political battles. America needs a secure border and a conservative budget that eliminates wasteful spending, and Republicans should work towards achieving those goals.
