White House readies for funding fight as lawmakers return to Washington
The White House Gears Up for Funding Fight with House Republicans
The White House is preparing for a showdown with House Republicans as Congress returns from recess. President Joe Biden had previously reached an agreement with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to establish funding levels for the next year and avoid a default on the country’s debts. However, the demands of hard-line conservatives and the push for supplemental spending by the president and Democrats have put Washington on a collision course, with the deadline to prevent a government shutdown fast approaching.
Posturing Begins as White House Frames Funding Debate
The battle lines are already being drawn, with the White House releasing a memo on Tuesday that frames the funding debate around the need to combat fentanyl trafficking. White House spokesman Andrew Bates emphasized the importance of the funding commitment made to the American people and highlighted President Biden’s $800 million proposal to fight fentanyl trafficking. Bates warned that failing to support this proposal would mean aligning with firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who has called for an impeachment inquiry into the president. The stakes are high, and lives are at stake in this government funding debate.
17 Session Days Remain to Avoid a Shutdown
Congress and the Biden administration have just 17 session days left before the potential government shutdown on September 30. All eyes will be on the House, where a slim GOP majority will need to navigate the demands of its right flank. While the Senate has already resumed business, the House will not be back until next week.
Dueling Demands from House Republicans and Biden
The House Freedom Caucus has put forward requests for increased border security funding, reduced Justice Department spending, and “anti-woke” reforms at the Department of Defense in order to keep the government open. House Speaker McCarthy will need the support of most of the conference to pass a spending proposal. On the other hand, President Biden has his own demands. The White House is seeking $16 billion in disaster relief for the Hawaii wildfires and a hurricane in Florida, as well as $24 billion in funding to support Ukraine. The emergency supplemental is part of a continuing resolution that would provide more time for lawmakers to pass their annual budget.
Preventing a Shutdown and Protecting Critical Programs
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has emphasized the importance of preventing a government shutdown and keeping critical programs running. She highlighted the need to protect supplemental nutrition programs, as without adjustments, states would be forced to implement waiting lists, leading to hunger and pushing vulnerable families into poverty.
Sticking Points and Potential Shutdown
House Republicans are not only focused on where money is spent but also where it isn’t. Some are calling for spending cuts of up to $200 billion to match fiscal 2022 levels, while others are cautious about allocating funds to Ukraine. Not all Republicans are opposed to the idea of a shutdown, with some suggesting it may be necessary to force spending cuts. Immigration is another potential sticking point, with both sides wanting more money but for different priorities.
The upcoming month may see echoes of the debt ceiling battle, which resulted in a credit downgrade for the U.S. from Fitch Ratings. President Biden has expressed concern about a potential shutdown, emphasizing the need for greater maturity to prevent it from happening.
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