Government Shutdown Over Spending? Let’s do it!

Commentary

As the national debt crossed $33,000,000,000,000 (that’s $33 trillion, if you get ‌confused by ⁤so many ‌zeros), and the nation’s debt increased to a quarter million dollars per taxpayer, five hard-line deficit hawks in the⁤ House Freedom Caucus drew a bold line in the sand Tuesday​ and⁢ again Thursday against fellow‌ Republican House Speaker‍ Kevin McCarthy’s leadership. The five sided with Democrats⁢ to oppose a vote to proceed with⁤ a vote to fund the Pentagon, which they largely support. But before ⁢supporting that vote, the hard-liners⁤ demand that Speaker‌ McCarthy commit⁢ to bringing discretionary spending down⁤ to pre-pandemic levels of $1.47 trillion without “gimmicks.”

McCarthy was forced to set aside a⁣ scheduled vote ⁣for a stopgap, 30-day, measure⁤ to continue spending, but ⁣with an 8 ‌percent cut⁣ over that period, that would have allowed Capitol Hill another​ 30‌ days ‌to sort out appropriations​ before the ⁣scheduled government shut-down Oct. 1. As ‍a⁣ consequence, we are less than 10 days away from a government shutdown.

The Speaker’s‌ Peril

McCarthy’s speakership is now in peril because budget ‍hawks ‍in his conference believe he has failed⁣ them in ⁢the past and‌ will do so again.

During‌ the ⁤debt ceiling debate in May, McCarthy promised to address ⁣budget concerns in the ​appropriations process. ‍He had months to align support, even as⁣ Congress was adjourned ⁣over the summer. But now, at the​ Eleventh Hour in the ‌appropriations⁤ process, the Republican⁣ leadership has yet to pass—or even debate—any of ‌the twelve appropriations bills.‍ Two attempts this week to bring⁤ the​ Defense appropriations ‍bill to the House⁣ floor ‌have now failed. And on Friday, McCarthy said the GOP must pass a continuing resolution to⁢ keep funding the government because he can ⁢only ⁤pass ⁣four of the appropriations bills in the House before October 1st.

The hard-liners ‌have said, “No!”

Hard-Liners Have No Choice

I⁣ tend to agree.⁢ Just as you don’t give an alcoholic a bottle⁣ of whiskey on the promise he won’t drink it, you shouldn’t give⁣ a continuing resolution to keep spending ⁢to ‌this Congress⁤ on the promise they ⁢will reform‌ their spending. It takes a hard reckoning of the type a government ​shutdown creates.

The central issue dividing ⁣the GOP hard-liners from the GOP establishment‍ and ‌the Democrats is simple: the United States spends $7 ‍trillion a year, but we only‌ take in $5 trillion a year in revenue; we have a $2 trillion a ⁢year structural deficit. If we continue doing that in ‌the coming year, the interest on the now $33 trillion debt—will hit $1 ⁢trillion a year, breaching a troubling psychological threshold.

Threatening a government shutdown—or even bringing one about—is about the only ⁢leverage the GOP hardliners have to compel ⁣Mr. McCarthy to abide by⁣ his promise to the floor a vote on each of the 12 ‍appropriations bills so that they can‌ become‍ an opening gambit in budget negotiations with the Democrat Senate‍ and the White House. Right now, GOP budget hard-liners fear that the speaker and moderate Republicans, particularly those from ⁤New York whose victories in “swing” and Democrat districts in 2022 created the House majority, will‍ move to join Democrats to force a vote on⁤ an omnibus ⁣spending bill. This would ‌effectively hand control of the House to ⁤the Democrats ⁣and Minority⁤ Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). It would assuredly ⁤trigger a “motion ​to⁢ vacate” from the hard-liners; effectively, a​ vote ⁢to remove Speaker McCarthy from his⁢ position.’

An⁤ omnibus bill, which amounts to an up-or-down bill on ⁣the entire slate of ‍appropriations bills, is ‍anathema to the budget hawks who want to consider each appropriations measure separately under what‌ is called “regular‌ order,” the process ⁣by which appropriation bills are⁣ offered, debated, amended,⁤ and voted upon. That ⁣puts House members⁤ on record as‌ to⁤ how they voted. An omnibus bill—effectively the House leadership calling all⁢ the shots—would allow rank-and-file members to⁣ obfuscate their votes by saying, “Well, I had to vote for the omnibus to‍ get funding for (insert the member’s local pork barrel project here.)”

How The Shutdown Will Play Out

Establishment ​media will play up the ⁣looming government ⁤shutdown the same way they fearmonger a low-level ⁤Category One hurricane striking coastal New Jersey‌ after ⁤Labor Day. They’ll take cues on their ‌reportage from the ‌Democratic National Committee, the House Democratic Conference, and the ‌White House in order to amplify Biden administration fear-mongering as leverage ​against the GOP budget⁣ hawks.‍ It will appear to consumers of the big legacy news organizations that‍ the shutdown is ⁣a veritable catastrophe with Republicans to blame. (In the⁣ 2013 shutdown,‍ former President Barack​ Obama fear mongered ​the ⁣shutdown ⁢so ⁤aggressively he ordered barriers installed around the World War II Memorial, which is ⁢outdoors.⁤ Veterans of that ‌conflict, many in wheelchairs, promptly knocked​ down the‍ barriers and commemorated their fallen ⁣brothers ⁣anyway.⁣ There’s a ​reason ​they’re called “The ⁣Greatest ⁣Generation.”

The reality is the shutdown will not⁣ likely‌ affect average citizens, including Social Security recipients and veterans. Mail will still ​be delivered. Our armed forces will still‌ stand on guard. America’s ⁢spy ‍agencies will operate. But business in ‍non-essential agencies will seize up. Your⁣ passport application or‍ renewal (including the​ one I submitted a few weeks ago),​ will​ likely be delayed unless you​ have urgent travel plans. If you have camping plans with your children in​ a national park or ‌plan to take them to‍ the Smithsonian, you’ll ⁣be out of luck.‌ Both will likely be⁣ closed.

But​ it will be inconvenience, not a crisis. ⁣And as you ‍bemoan ​the inconvenience,​ remember that the nation whose parks, heritage, and ⁣accomplishments you‌ wanted to show your ‌children might not​ exist for them and their children if we don’t bring​ its Capitol ‍Hill‌ spendthrifts to heel.

What are the consequences‌ of ​a potential government shutdown and how can‌ bipartisan cooperation help prevent it

The House Freedom Caucus’s‌ decision to oppose the⁢ vote to fund the Pentagon has⁣ put Speaker Kevin McCarthy⁤ in a precarious position. As the ‌national debt continues to ⁤rise and taxpayers bear the burden ⁢of this mounting debt,‍ these hard-line deficit hawks are demanding significant reductions in discretionary spending.

These deficit hawks are not‌ wrong to be concerned about the national debt. With the debt surpassing $33 trillion, it⁣ is clear‌ that action needs to be taken to address this issue. However, their refusal to support funding‌ for the Pentagon, an⁣ agency they largely‍ support, ⁣is puzzling. This move puts national security at risk‍ and jeopardizes‌ the stability and functioning of the government.

Speaker McCarthy must navigate a delicate path‍ in this situation. On one hand, he⁤ must address the concerns of the deficit hawks within his conference and demonstrate his commitment ‍to reducing discretionary spending. On the other hand, he cannot ignore the importance of funding the Pentagon and ensuring the safety and security​ of the nation.

The ⁣hard-liners are demanding that discretionary spending be brought down to pre-pandemic levels ‍of $1.47 trillion without any “gimmicks.” While their goal⁢ of fiscal⁢ responsibility is commendable, achieving it without impacting essential government​ functions is challenging. It is crucial for Speaker McCarthy to find a solution that satisfies both the deficit hawks and the need to fund⁤ critical agencies like the Pentagon.

The decision to set aside a scheduled vote for a short-term spending measure with an 8% cut reflects the current ‍deadlock and lack of consensus within the Republican Party. This delay puts the government at risk of a shutdown, which ‍would have severe ⁢consequences for the economy⁣ and the American​ people.

The future of‌ Speaker‍ McCarthy’s leadership hangs in the balance. The budget hawks in his conference‍ have lost faith in his ability to effectively address the national debt and are skeptical of‌ his willingness to follow through on his promises. To regain ‍their trust and ensure his speakership, McCarthy must find common ground and propose⁣ a realistic plan to reduce spending while addressing ‍the needs of essential‍ government agencies.

As the deadline for a government shutdown approaches, it is crucial for all parties involved⁢ to set aside their differences and prioritize the well-being and stability of the nation. The consequences of⁤ a government⁣ shutdown‍ are far-reaching and affect every American. It is⁤ time for compromise and effective leadership to​ overcome this impasse and ensure that essential government functions are funded.

The Speaker’s peril is not only a test‌ of his leadership skills but also⁤ a reflection of the challenges facing the Republican Party in addressing the national debt. The ⁣decisions made in the ⁣coming days will ⁤have long-lasting implications for the country’s financial ‌stability and the trust⁤ of ⁣the American people in their elected officials.

Ultimately, it is vital for Republicans to find⁤ a‍ way forward that balances⁤ fiscal responsibility with the necessary funding for government operations. The nation’s ⁤debt cannot be ignored, but ⁤it is equally important to maintain the functioning of critical agencies ‌and institutions. ‍Only through bipartisan ⁣cooperation and pragmatic ‍decision-making can the United States navigate this challenging landscape and secure a prosperous future for its‍ citizens.


Read More From Original Article Here: A Government Shutdown Over Spending? BRING IT ON!

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