Republicans in the House of Representatives are releasing a short-term bill to prevent a government shutdown until October 31st
WASHINGTON — Key factions of the House Republican Conference reached a tentative agreement Sunday to temporarily maintain funding for the government and avert a shutdown planned for later this month, coupled with a conservative border security measure, multiple Republican sources with knowledge of the agreement said.
Republicans in the House of Representatives an invoice issued after the far-right Freedom Caucus and the center-right Main Street Caucus reached a tentative agreement, the sources said. The deal, which maintains government funding through Oct. 31 but includes cuts to domestic spending, is expected to pave the way for passage this week of a defense spending bill that is caught in the standoff between the Republican leadership and the far right is.
If passed by the House, the bill would solve an internal problem for California Speaker Kevin McCarthy while creating a new one. Because of contentious immigration rules and reduced spending, failure is all but guaranteed in the Democratic-led Senate, meaning it could help hasten a shutdown in late September rather than prevent it.
The bill would cut domestic spending by 8%, excluding military and veterans funding.
It includes most of the Secure the Border Act of 2023, a wish list of immigration provisions for Republican hardliners, except for provisions requiring employers to use E-Verify to check immigration status. The legislation was a high priority for members of the Freedom Caucus. And although it passed the House in May, the Senate ignored it.
Notably, the temporary government funding legislation makes no mention of aid to Ukraine or disaster relief, two priorities for the White House and many lawmakers from both parties.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, called the bill “extreme” in a statement and accused House Republicans of trying to “strip funding for the National Institutes of Health, including funding for cancer research.” “to cut and defund the police” and reduce resources to key allies like Ukraine and Israel” instead of “working on a bipartisan solution.”[s] that could be implemented.”
She added: “It’s time to end the charade and get to work.”
Lawmakers named in the bill are Reps. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., Dusty Johnson, R-D., Scott Perry, R-Pa., Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., Chip Roy, R-Texas and Kelly Armstrong, RN.D.
House Republicans, who hold a narrow majority, discussed the measure in a conference call at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday.
It’s unclear whether the bill will receive enough votes to pass the House. Without Democratic support, McCarthy cannot afford more than four defections.
Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., quickly spoke out against it.
“No CR. Say goodbye to the damn bills. Reduce crazy bureaucracy to pre-COVID levels. Now,” Bishop continued saying social meDiam.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, said Sunday evening after the bill was published: “It is crystal clear that a government shutdown is imminent. I represent 66% of the Texas-Mexico border – a hollow continuing resolution aimed at winning a messaging battle does nothing to keep America safe.”
Earlier in the day, McCarthy urged his colleagues to avert a shutdown in an appearance on Fox News.
“A shutdown would only give Democrats strength,” he said. “It would give Biden the power. It wouldn’t pay our troops. It wouldn’t pay our border guards. More people would come over. I actually want to achieve something.”
Perry, the chairman of the Freedom Caucus, said in a statement Sunday evening: “HFC members worked with the Main Street Caucus over the weekend on a path forward to fund the government and secure the American border.” We have now a framework for our colleagues across the House Republican Conference.”
