Government shutdown looms before Congress
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The federal government shuts down in less than two weeks and the latest effort to keep the government’s doors open failed Wednesday night leaving the next steps in question.
House Republicans tanked their own bill to avoid a government shutdown leaving Congress just days to find a solution.
House Republicans rejected House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) short-term plan to fund the government for another six months.
“I’m very disappointed that it didn’t pass,” said Johnson.
14 Republicans joined Democrats against the bill, which on top of government funding, would have required proof of citizenship to vote, a priority for some Republicans.
“Now that their efforts have failed, House Republicans don’t seem to have any plan for actually keeping the government open,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
It’s now back to the drawing board with government set to shut down in 11 days.
“It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election, because certainly we’d get the blame,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
Former president Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social if Republicans don’t get proof of citizenship to vote, they should not agree to more government funding.
“This is Republican theatrics that are meant to appease the most extreme members of the conference,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.).
Republican leadership says a shutdown won’t happen.
“I’m already talking to colleagues about their many ideas. We have time to fix the situation, and we’ll get right to it,” said Johnson.
Senator Chuck Schumer says the Senate will take up its own funding bill Thursday now that the House plan has failed.
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