White House prioritizes blaming GOP over preventing shutdown.
White House Focuses on Tying Republicans to Economic Fallout as Shutdown Looms
With a government shutdown looming, the Biden White House is intensifying its efforts to hold Republicans accountable for the negative economic consequences, rather than resolving the legislative stalemate in the first place.
White House officials are actively engaging with congressional lawmakers ahead of the September 30 deadline and supporting the bipartisan effort in the Senate to fund the government through normal appropriations channels. However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s attempts to pass a standalone Republican-backed continuing resolution have once again failed, as six Republicans blocked the defense spending bill.
President Biden Unlikely to Sign Republican-Only Resolution
White House officials have indicated that President Joe Biden is unlikely to sign a Republican-only resolution into law, even as the Senate faces its own obstacles.
While a government shutdown may cause a short-term economic contraction, it would be overshadowed by the potential consequences of the United States defaulting on its debt this summer. Once the government reopens, the economy could experience a rapid expansion, which could benefit Biden in an election year.
The White House firmly believes that it is Congress’s responsibility to fund the government. Combined with McCarthy’s inability to control his own caucus, the White House expects Republicans to bear the blame for any economic downturn resulting from the shutdown.
Senior administration officials have publicly argued that the spending levels proposed by Republicans fall far short of the agreed-upon cuts outlined in the debt ceiling agreement brokered by Biden and McCarthy earlier this year.
Furthermore, the White House has been issuing memos detailing the potential consequences of a government shutdown for voters across the country, including in areas championed by conservatives like border security.
On Tuesday, the White House sent out a fact sheet outlining some of the impacts of a shutdown, such as:
- 800 fewer U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers, potentially leading to increased drug smuggling
- 125,000 seniors and children losing access to healthcare and nutritional services
- 110,000 children losing slots in the Head Start program
- 40,000 fewer teachers, affecting approximately 26 million students
- 145 fewer local law enforcement officials due to Department of Justice cuts
- 250,000 workers losing job training and employment opportunities
On Wednesday, the White House sent a second memo highlighting how Republican funding proposals would significantly cut funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ahead of the winter months. The White House claimed that McCarthy’s continuing resolution would cut LIHEAP by $2.52 billion nationwide, impacting nearly 5.13 million households.
During a press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized Republicans for breaking the debt ceiling agreement and failing to unite behind a single proposal. She urged them to “do their job” and keep the government open.
While Jean-Pierre acknowledged that agencies are preparing for a potential shutdown, she emphasized that the best plan is to avoid one altogether.
As the deadline approaches, the Biden administration remains committed to holding Republicans accountable and ensuring the government remains funded.
How does the White House argue that prioritizing partisan agendas over the well-being of the American people is detrimental to the stability and prosperity of the country?
Licans in the continuing resolution are inadequate and fail to address the urgent needs of the American people. They have pointed out that the Republican proposal does not include funding for key priorities such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The White House argues that without adequate funding, these crucial sectors of the economy will suffer, resulting in job losses and decreased economic growth.
Furthermore, the White House is highlighting the fact that Republicans are prioritizing partisan agendas over the well-being of the American people. They accuse Republicans of using the threat of a government shutdown as a political weapon to oppose Democratic initiatives and gain leverage. The White House argues that this approach is irresponsible and detrimental to the stability and prosperity of the country.
The Biden administration has been proactive in communicating with the public about the potential economic repercussions of a government shutdown. Senior officials have been appearing on news outlets and holding press conferences to emphasize the negative impact that a shutdown can have on businesses, workers, and the overall economy. They have stressed the importance of finding a bipartisan solution to avoid such a scenario and have urged Republicans to join Democrats in passing a comprehensive spending bill.
In addition to highlighting the economic consequences of a shutdown, the White House is also emphasizing the potential harm that a default on the country’s debt could cause. They point out that a failure to raise the debt ceiling would have serious implications for the financial markets, interest rates, and the overall stability of the economy. By tying Republicans to the economic fallout of a shutdown, the White House hopes to put pressure on them to reach a resolution and avoid a default.
While the White House’s strategy of blaming Republicans for the economic fallout of a potential shutdown may be effective in shaping public opinion, it remains to be seen whether it will lead to a resolution in Congress. Republicans have their own concerns and priorities, and they may be unwilling to compromise on certain issues. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a government shutdown can be averted and if Republicans and Democrats can come together to pass a comprehensive spending bill that addresses the needs of the country.
In conclusion, the Biden White House is intensifying its efforts to tie Republicans to the economic fallout of a potential government shutdown. By highlighting the negative consequences of a shutdown and a default on the country’s debt, the White House hopes to pressure Republicans into reaching a resolution and avoiding such outcomes. Whether this strategy will be successful remains uncertain, but the White House is determined to hold Republicans accountable for the economic consequences of their actions.
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