House Democrats urge GOP to support bipartisan spending bill as the sole path forward.
House Democrats Urge GOP to Act to Avoid Catastrophic Shutdown
House Democratic leaders are sounding the alarm, urging their GOP counterparts to come together and advance a bipartisan continuing resolution. They warn that failure to act will result in a “catastrophic” shutdown, leaving millions of government workers without paychecks and dealing a severe blow to the national economy.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) revealed that he has been in discussions with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), emphasizing that a continuing resolution is the “only way forward” to prevent a government shutdown before federal funding expires on Oct. 1. This plea comes right after the House failed to pass a GOP-led continuing resolution due to strong opposition from rank-and-file Republicans.
How Will a Government Shutdown Impact National Parks?
“We find ourselves in the midst of a Republican civil war that has been ongoing for months, and now it poses a grave threat of a catastrophic government shutdown that will harm everyday Americans,” Jeffries expressed. “There is absolutely no justification for facing a government shutdown at this critical moment. The Senate has a bipartisan continuing resolution in progress that would ensure the government remains operational.”
The legislation, worth $1.471 trillion, was voted on and fell short with a vote of 198-232, failing to reach the majority needed to proceed to the Senate. This failure deals a significant blow to GOP leadership, making it increasingly unlikely that Congress will reach an agreement on spending legislation just two days before the government is set to shut down.
The measure was rejected after 21 Republicans joined forces with all Democrats in opposition. Several staunch conservatives had been threatening for weeks to vote against any temporary legislation and insisted on advancing single-subject spending bills. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has been particularly vocal, repeatedly warning McCarthy that he would seek to remove him as GOP leader if he pursued a stopgap measure.
Jeffries emphasized that House Democrats are “ready” to collaborate with Republicans on any bipartisan measure, emphasizing that all options are on the table. Some lawmakers, like Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), believe that the failed vote should serve as a signal to GOP leadership that they must pursue a bipartisan agreement to prevent or end a government shutdown. A handful of Republicans are considering working with Democrats to achieve this.
“Ultimately, we need to reach 218 in Congress, not necessarily within the [GOP] conference,” Fitzpatrick stated. “We have a number of us, and hopefully more, who are willing to discharge or pursue another option to ultimately bring a two-party solution to the floor.”
However, Jeffries expressed skepticism about centrist Republicans signing on to a discharge petition, stating that the only viable path forward is a bipartisan continuing resolution.
“The only way out is to partner with House Democrats in a bipartisan manner,” Jeffries asserted. “And we are fully prepared to do just that.”
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Why are House Republicans demanding amendments related to issues such as immigration and vaccine mandates in the N bill?
N, would fund the government through December 3 and provide funding for disaster relief efforts, as well as support for Afghan refugees. It has already passed in the Senate with strong bipartisan support.
Despite this progress, House Republicans have shown resistance to the bill, with many demanding amendments related to issues such as immigration and vaccine mandates. Democrats argue that these issues should be addressed separately and not used as leverage to prevent the passage of a continuing resolution.
The consequences of a government shutdown would be far-reaching. National parks, for example, would be among the institutions most affected. Park rangers would be furloughed, preventing them from carrying out their duties and maintaining the parks. This would mean limited access to these public spaces, disappointing tourists and disrupting local economies that rely on park visitation.
In addition, millions of government employees, ranging from TSA agents to IRS workers, would be forced to work without pay or be furloughed altogether. These workers are already grappling with the economic fallout of the pandemic and cannot afford the uncertainty of a shutdown.
Moreover, the national economy would also suffer. A government shutdown would disrupt essential services and stall government-funded projects, putting a halt to economic growth. Small businesses that rely on government contracts would feel the impact, causing further job losses and economic hardship.
The political stalemate that has led us to this point is detrimental to the functioning of our democracy. It is time for elected officials to put aside their differences and prioritize the needs of the American people. The continuing resolution provides a temporary solution that allows for further negotiations on the contentious issues at hand.
House Democrats urge their Republican colleagues to act in the best interest of the country and put an end to the brinkmanship. They plead for a bipartisan approach that prioritizes the stability of the government and the well-being of the American people. It is imperative that our elected officials rise above partisan politics and work towards a resolution that avoids the catastrophic consequences of a government shutdown.
Whether the GOP will heed this call or continue their fight for unrelated amendments remains to be seen. But the clock is ticking, and the repercussions of inaction will be felt by millions of Americans. The American people deserve better than political gamesmanship – they deserve a government that functions, even in times of disagreement. It is up to House Republicans to act responsibly and prevent a catastrophic shutdown that would only further harm our nation.
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