US Senate Reveals Stopgap Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown

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Facts

  • Days away from a deadline that could result in a potential US federal government shutdown, the Democrat-led Senate on Tuesday agreed to a bipartisan bill that would keep the government funded through Nov. 17. While maintaining the current levels of spending, it included roughly $6B for domestic disaster relief and $6B in additional funds for Ukraine.1
  • However, many in the GOP-controlled House have questioned giving more aid to Ukraine while also opposing a short-term funding extension — arguing instead that a full-year spending package with a cut in total spending should be passed. The resistance means the Senate bill is unlikely to make it through the House.2
  • House Republicans, led by speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), have insisted that instead of an 'omnibus' bill that covers all spending, they should pass a series of 12 bills to be voted on separately — four of which were pushed forward by the House on Tuesday.3
  • McCarthy acknowledged that a short-term spending extension — known as a continuing resolution — would nonetheless still be needed. He said that this would likely be tabled in the House on Friday.4
  • The Speaker's version of the extension is expected to feature strict border and immigration restrictions, meaning Democrats in the House and Senate are unlikely to allow it to pass. All in all, the stand-off means that a shutdown is looking probable.1
  • There have been three government shutdowns in the past decade and 14 since 1981. However, most have only lasted a day or so.1

Sources: 1Reuters, 2CNN, 3FOX News (a) and 4FOX News (b).

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Associated press. Hard-right House Republicans are pushing the US dangerously close to a shutdown. Their proposals have close to no chance in the Senate, but instead of compromise, they are doubling down, potentially causing devastation to those who rely on federal services. Even members of their own party are calling them out, but their loyalty is to MAGA, not the American people.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by PJ Media. Despite the alarmism about what a shutdown entails, most parts of the government will continue to function as normal. Meanwhile, with US debt now in excess of $33T, that is what's unsustainable. Nobody wants to see a government shutdown, but if it means bringing US debt back into line, then so be it.

Predictions