President Joe Biden averted a looming federal government shutdown on Saturday by signing a temporary funding bill, which Congress hurriedly passed in a bipartisan effort. The agreement did, however, omit aid to Ukraine, a priority of the White House, but allocated an additional $16 billion for federal disaster relief, aligning with President Biden’s full request. This legislation secures government funding until November 17.
In a surprising shift of events, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, amidst chaos in the House, abandoned his demands for substantial spending cuts from the conservative wing of his party. Instead, he turned to Democrats to pass the bill, a move that risked his own position. The Senate subsequently followed suit, bringing a whirlwind day in the Capitol to a close.
President Biden’s Support
President Biden expressed his approval of the development, stating, “This is good news for the American people.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine without interruption, urging Speaker McCarthy to uphold his commitment to the Ukrainian people during this critical period.
Temporary Reprieve
This recent turn of events in Congress follows days of intense turmoil in the House, pushing the government to the brink of a disruptive federal shutdown. While this outcome temporarily averts a shutdown, it may prove to be short-lived. Congress will need to address government funding once again in the coming weeks, potentially risking another crisis, particularly among right-wing lawmakers who saw their demands sidelined in favor of a bipartisan approach.
“We’re going to do our job,” asserted McCarthy, “We’re going to be adults in the room. And we’re going to keep the government open.” Had no deal been reached before Sunday, federal workers would have faced furloughs, over 2 million military personnel would have worked without pay, and essential programs and services relied upon by Americans nationwide would have faced disruptions.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reassured, “It has been a day full of twists and turns, but the American people can breathe a sigh of relief: There will be no government shutdown.”
Temporary Funding package
The temporary funding package maintains government funding at 2023 levels until mid-November and extends provisions, including those for the Federal Aviation Administration. The House approved the package with a 335-91 vote, with most Republicans and almost all Democrats in favor. The Senate followed suit with an 88-9 vote.
The omission of aid to Ukraine was met with disappointment from lawmakers of both parties who had pledged their support to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his recent visit to Washington. The Senate’s version of the bill included $6 billion for Ukraine, causing both chambers to stall as lawmakers considered their options.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed his concern over “extreme” Republicans risking a shutdown and emphasized that the American people deserved better.
The White House closely monitored developments on Capitol Hill, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell vowed to continue advocating for U.S. support for Ukraine despite resistance from some within his party.
The Senate briefly stalled when Sen. Michael Bennet sought assurances that Ukraine funds would be revisited, emphasizing the importance of American leadership on such matters.
Swift House Reversal
The House’s swift change in direction followed the collapse of McCarthy’s earlier plan to pass a Republican-only bill, which included significant spending cuts and strict border provisions that the White House and Democrats rejected as extreme. A group of 21 hard-right Republican holdouts opposed this plan.
Shutdown Uncertainty: Impact on Federal Workers and Services
The potential government shutdown posed considerable uncertainty for federal workers across the nation and the individuals who depend on their services, including military personnel, border control agents, office workers, scientists, and more. Many programs and services, such as Head Start for children and food benefits, faced possible interruptions or closures. At airports, Transportation Security Administration officers and air traffic controllers were expected to work without pay, potentially causing travel delays for U.S. passport and travel document updates.
The White House dismissed McCarthy’s attempts to meet with President Biden after the Speaker walked away from their earlier debt deal, which had set budget levels. McCarthy had made several concessions to cater to the conservative wing of his party, including returning to spending limits they had demanded in January. However, these concessions were insufficient, as conservatives insisted on adhering to regular rules and debating each of the 12 separate spending bills required to fund government agencies—a process that typically takes months. In the Senate, all the votes against the package came from Republicans.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a prominent Republican critic of McCarthy, has threatened to file a motion for a vote to remove the Speaker. Some of the Republican holdouts, including Gaetz, are allies of former President Donald Trump, who is President Biden’s chief rival in the 2024 race. Trump has encouraged Republicans to vigorously pursue their priorities, even if it means shutting down the government.
During a closed-door meeting at the Capitol, several House Republicans, particularly those facing tough reelections next year, urged their colleagues to find a way to prevent a shutdown, emphasizing their responsibility to lead and govern.
The lone House Democrat to vote against the package, Rep. Mike Quigley, emphasized that protecting Ukraine was in the national interest.
(With AP Inputs)