The ink was nearly dry on a deal reached late Sunday night to avert a partial government shutdown on Sept. 30 when House Republicans erupted in open rebellion, threatening to scuttle the deal before it could reach the chamber floor.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) vowed to go ahead with a vote Thursday on the stopgap measure, but enough Republicans have announced their opposition to defeat it with every House Democrat lined up in opposition.
“It’s an inevitable disaster right now on the part of the majority,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) bluntly told MSNBC’s “Meet the Press Now” Monday.
Under the deal, brokered between the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus and the more moderate Main Street Caucus, the government will remain fully operational until Oct. 31.
In exchange, spending for all federal agencies except the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs will be reduced by 8% from current levels.
Additionally, the deal waives increased aid to Ukraine and includes provisions from the House-passed Secure Border Act of 2023 — including resuming construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border and approving the hiring of 22,000 additional Border Patrol agents.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) vowed to go ahead with Thursday’s vote on the stopgap measure.Getty Images
Although House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) hailed the deal as a “framework,” the conservative bloc split as soon as the deal was announced.
More than a dozen members of the House of Representatives signaled opposition to the bill on Monday evening, citing a number of grievances such as principled opposition to continued discontinuous solutions and continued funding for special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former President Donald Trump.
During this time, McCarthy was only able to lose four Republican votes and still pass legislation along party lines.
“It’s hard to pass anything in this place. We started with a five-seat majority. I have one member who is now resigning, we have several members who are leaving as well. Whatever we do is quite difficult,” he told reporters Monday.
.@RepMTG right
Donalds CR will allow taxpayer funding for Ukraine by continuing Nancy Pelosi’s omnibus passed last year, which appropriated $300M for DOD – aka 30 more days for Joe Biden to squeeze taxpayer cash for Ukraine. https://t.co/OMy6biwX50
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) September 18, 2023
Perhaps the most vocal opponent of the continuing resolution — CR, in Washington parlance — is Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is a perennial thorn in the speaker’s side.
“The [Rep. Byron] Donalds CR will allow taxpayer funding for Ukraine by continuing Nancy Pelosi’s omnibus passed last year, which appropriated $300M for DOD – aka 30 more days for Joe Biden to squeeze taxpayer cash for Ukraine,” Gaetz posted on X, previously Twitter .
Donalds (R-Fla.), who helped broker the deal, defended the compromise against criticism from his colleagues.
“Matt, tell the people the truth,” Donalds wrote after Gaetz fought for a spending bill that would have canceled the Smith investigation. “The DOJ will operate whether the government is closed or not. Special Adviser [sic] always exempt themselves from closure. What is your plan to get votes to deny Jack Smith? You need more than tweets and hot takes!!”
Rep. Matt Gaetz is the most vocal opponent of the continuing resolution.Getty Images
Matt, tell people the truth. The DOJ will operate whether the government is shut down or not. Special Counsel have always exempted themselves from the shutdown. What is your plan to get votes to deny Jack Smith? You need more than tweets and hot takes!! https://t.co/uVJcI6MWGW
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) September 18, 2023
Gaetz has long opposed CR and criticized McCarthy last week for failing to oversee the timely passage of 12 traditional separate appropriations bills needed to keep the government fully funded.
On September 12, after the House reconvened from a six-week August recess, Gaetz threatened to use a motion to remove McCarthy if he didn’t play ball.
On Monday, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) also took aim at McCarthy amid the battle between the GOP.
“Unfortunately, true leadership requires courage and the willingness to fight for the country, not for power and pictures on the wall,” he lamented in a statement. “House Republicans have failed the American people once again and gone after the games and circuses.
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) took direct aim at McCarthy.AP/J. Scott Applewhite
One of McCarthy’s most prominent allies on the right wing, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also attacked the deal.
“Your CR funds Section C and Section K of Public Law 117-328. This is what the law says. It funds Ukraine in multiple parts, including 2 funds with no specific dollar amount that assigns spending to Biden. Billions more could be sent to Ukraine with your CR!” Greene posted on X in a jab at Donalds.
McCarthy has sought to rally his troops by stressing that a government shutdown could prevent a congressional investigation into the Biden family’s foreign business dealings.
US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks at a press conference at the US Capitol Building.Getty Images/Anna Moneymaker
Your CR funds Section C and Section K of Public Law 117-328.
This is what the law says.
It funds Ukraine in multiple parts, including 2 funds with no specific dollar amount that assigns spending to Biden.
Billions more could be sent to Ukraine with your CR! https://t.co/FvQTAbL59E pic.twitter.com/c5ZUBcgS1M
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) September 18, 2023
Democrats, meanwhile, have slammed Republican proposals to fund the government at less than spending levels agreed to from the debt ceiling battle earlier this year.
“In both chambers, a small group of hard-right Republicans are dead set on destroying the power of government,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said on the floor of the chamber Monday. “For these MAGA Republicans, it’s as if congestion is a virtue and cooperation is a crime.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
