House passes 4 spending bills as McCarthy promises funding stopgap to avoid shutdown.
The House of Representatives took a significant step towards completing the appropriations process just days before the end of the fiscal year. They passed a procedural vote allowing consideration of four spending bills totaling nearly $1.1 trillion. This move sets up a conflict with the Senate, which passed its own procedural vote for a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily extend government funding.
The Procedure
The House’s vote was part of the regular order process, which allows spending bills to be debated and voted on individually. This is a departure from lumping them into one large bill.
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Representative Chip Roy emphasized the importance of the bills, stating that they would fund a significant portion of the government’s discretionary spending. Fiscal hawks on the Republican side had previously prevented the Defense bill from being heard to ensure regular order.
The bills up for debate include funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Defense.
Debate: Shutdown, Cuts, Debt
House Democrats raised concerns about the tight timeline for completing the appropriations process and advocated for adopting the CR proposed by the Senate. They criticized the Republican spending proposals for cutting programs that benefit low-income individuals and accused Republicans of negotiating in bad faith.
Republicans defended the bills as necessary steps towards fiscal stability. They highlighted the country’s growing deficit and the need to address it. The House CR introduced later in the week will likely include an overall 8 percent cut in non-defense discretionary spending and provisions from the Secure the Border Act of 2023.
The Senate’s stopgap funding bill would continue funding at current levels until Nov. 17 and includes additional funding for Ukraine and disaster relief. President Joe Biden had requested higher amounts for these items, but some House Republicans objected to the inclusion of Ukraine funding with domestic spending needs.
Despite the conflict between the House and Senate, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy expressed optimism that the appropriations bills would be concluded, allowing for the consideration of the CR.
Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
What potential conflict has arisen between the House and the Senate regarding government funding?
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The procedure followed by the House of Representatives in passing the procedural vote is a significant step towards completing the appropriations process. Just days before the end of the fiscal year, the House took this important measure to ensure the smooth functioning of the government by allowing consideration of four spending bills. These bills, totaling nearly $1.1 trillion, cover various aspects of government funding. However, this move has set up a potential conflict with the Senate, which passed its own procedural vote for a continuing resolution (CR). The CR is a temporary extension of government funding that is meant to avoid a government shutdown. The House’s decision to consider individual spending bills instead of a comprehensive CR goes against the Senate’s approach. The House’s vote is part of the regular order process, which allows spending bills to be debated and voted on individually. This marks a departure from the practice of lumping them into one large bill. By considering each spending bill separately, the House aims to provide greater transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds. It is important to note that the appropriations process is crucial for the functioning of the government and the delivery of essential services to the American people. Without approved appropriations, government agencies may face funding shortages and operational challenges. Therefore, it is essential for the House and the Senate to come to a consensus and pass appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year. In recent news, the House Budget Battle is finally shifting to the floor, indicating the urgency and importance of the appropriations process. House Republicans remain divided with only days left to avert a government shutdown. These developments highlight the challenges and complexities involved in the appropriations process and the need for bipartisan cooperation to ensure the smooth functioning of the government. The question of why the US government keeps running out of money arises in this context. The continuous cycle of last-minute funding extensions and potential government shutdowns raises concerns about the financial stability and responsibility of the government. It is crucial for policymakers to address this issue and implement measures to prevent such disruptions in the future. In conclusion, the House of Representatives’ procedural vote towards completing the appropriations process is a significant step in ensuring government funding and avoiding a shutdown. However, this move has created a potential conflict with the Senate, which has its own approach to temporary funding. The regular order process followed by the House allows for greater transparency and accountability in allocating funds. With the end of the fiscal year approaching, it is imperative for the House and the Senate to find common ground and pass appropriations bills to ensure the smooth functioning of the government and the delivery of essential services.
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