Three funding options for Johnson to prevent a government shutdown.
House Speaker Mike Johnson Faces Uphill Battle to Pass Funding Bill
With another possible government shutdown looming in just 11 days, newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing a challenging task of garnering bipartisan support to pass a stopgap funding bill. Out of several proposals, only one is likely to appeal to the Democrats.
Three Possible Continuing Resolutions
At Tuesday’s Republican conference meeting, Johnson is prepared to present three potential continuing resolutions, according to a senior GOP aide. These options include:
- A clean continuing resolution into early next year
- A CR with spending cuts across the board
- A “laddered CR”
The Appeal of a “Clean” CR
A “clean” CR, highly favored among Democrats, is a stopgap funding measure that maintains the current spending levels without making any changes or cuts until the deadline. In September, the clean passage of the CR received support from 209 Democrats and included funding for Ukraine aid, disaster response, and extended authorizations for key programs.
Spending Cuts and Potential Challenges
The second option, a CR with significant spending cuts, particularly in defense, is likely to gain strong support from hard-line GOP members. However, any cuts to Ukraine funding or defense programs focused on diversity and inclusion are expected to drive away Democratic support. Additionally, some centrist Republicans may not back a bill centered on heavy cuts.
The Unique Strategy of a ”Laddered” CR
Johnson has floated a unique strategy called the “laddered” CR, proposed by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), which would extend the government through Jan. 15. This approach involves creating a series of rolling shutdown deadlines, pushing specific government agencies to pass their separate funding bills. However, this strategy is unlikely to receive support from Democrats or President Joe Biden and could result in a series of rolling government shutdowns.
“I think the speaker doesn’t have a clue. He doesn’t know about the appropriations process,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). “That’s 12 shutdowns. What are we talking about?”
Last-Minute Showdown and Ongoing Efforts
With Democratic cooperation relying on a clean CR and no indication from Johnson of a willingness to engage in bipartisan negotiation, it is likely that the government will once again face a last-minute showdown, similar to what occurred on Sept. 30.
Johnson is working tirelessly to prevent a government shutdown. He and several House Republicans are committed to passing the 12 appropriations bills separately, rather than bundling unrelated spending measures into omnibus packages, a strategy favored by the Senate. Last week, the speaker met with the Senate GOP conference to discuss a temporary spending bill that would run through Jan. 15.
What is the concept of a “laddered CR” and how does it serve as a compromise option between a clean CR and a CR with spending cuts?
Both Democrats and Republicans, avoiding a government shutdown. However, it remains to be seen whether this option will gain enough support this time around.
The Challenges of a CR with Spending Cuts
A CR with spending cuts across the board is likely to face opposition from Democrats, who have consistently advocated for increased funding for key programs and initiatives. The idea of implementing spending cuts across the board is seen by many Democrats as a detrimental move that could undermine the progress made in various areas, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The “Laddered CR” Proposal
A “laddered CR” is a proposed solution that would fund different sections of the government at different levels for various periods of time. This option may be seen as a compromise between a clean CR and a CR with spending cuts. It could potentially provide funding for key priorities while still addressing concerns about fiscal responsibility. However, implementing such a complex system would require careful planning and coordination.
Partisan Divisions and Compromise
Passing a funding bill has always been a challenge due to partisan divisions. With Democrats holding a slim majority in both the House and Senate, House Speaker Mike Johnson will need to work tirelessly to build bridges and find common ground. Compromise will be crucial, and both sides will need to be willing to make concessions in order to avoid a government shutdown.
The Impact of a Government Shutdown
A government shutdown would have far-reaching consequences, affecting government employees, national security, and various public services. It could disrupt funding for essential programs, delay payments to contractors and suppliers, and potentially damage the economy. The pressure to reach a solution is high, as the consequences of a government shutdown are severe and can have long-lasting effects.
Conclusion
As the countdown to a government shutdown continues, House Speaker Mike Johnson faces an uphill battle to pass a funding bill that will garner bipartisan support. The three options presented – a clean CR, a CR with spending cuts, and a “laddered CR” – each come with their own challenges and potential benefits. In order to avoid further partisan bickering and potential harm to the country, House Speaker Johnson and his colleagues must put their differences aside and work together to find a compromise that will keep the government functioning and serve the best interests of the American people.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...