McConnell suggests brief funding extension as shutdown deadline approaches
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Urges Short-Term Funding Extension
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has called for a short-term funding extension, adding to the growing tension in Washington as the Jan. 19 deadline to fund the government approaches.
This statement puts McConnell, the Senate’s top Republican, at odds with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who previously rejected short-term funding measures in November.
However, Johnson may have to reconsider his stance to avoid a government shutdown. While he recently reached a spending agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), negotiations on the 12 appropriations bills that make up the overall spending figure are still ongoing.
“Obviously we are going to have to pass a CR as well,” McConnell emphasized, highlighting the importance of funding for Ukraine. He left the decision on the length of the continuing resolution to Schumer and Johnson.
This acknowledgment serves as a reality check for Johnson. Even if appropriators manage to resolve their differences in the coming days, it took the Senate over a month to pass just three of its spending bills in November.
“The simplest things take a week in the Senate, so I think frequently the House doesn’t understand how long it takes to get something through the Senate,” McConnell explained during his weekly press conference.
However, McConnell’s statement doesn’t make it any easier for Johnson to accept a stopgap measure.
A similar bill led to the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who resigned from Congress at the end of the year. House conservatives accused McCarthy of dragging his feet and creating a bloated omnibus bill.
Johnson, who assumed the speakership in late October, initially received support from conservatives when he agreed to a continuing resolution. However, he later declared that he was “done” with them.
Johnson is already facing criticism from his right flank over the top-line spending deal, which maintained the Democrats’ desired spending levels. Although Johnson secured minor cuts to the IRS and unspent COVID relief funds, he risks being blamed for a shutdown if he refuses to agree to an extension. The first funding bills expire on Jan. 19, with the rest expiring on Feb. 2.
Conservatives are pushing for a shutdown fight, hoping to leverage it to pass border reforms, while Johnson has not taken such a strong stance.
Schumer declined to comment on whether a continuing resolution will be necessary, only stating, “We’re going to work hard to get this done as soon as possible.” He also avoided answering a question about the length of a possible CR.
Senator John Thune (R-SD), the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, refrained from judging whether it was a strategic mistake for Johnson to rule out short-term extensions.
“They’ve got their way of doing things and their own challenges in moving legislation,” Thune said. “But, you know, we’re focused on the Senate.”
However, Thune did acknowledge that an extension is inevitable if the government is to remain open, suggesting that it may need to last until March for Congress to complete the appropriations process.
How does McConnell’s proposal for a short-term funding extension impact negotiations on the larger spending bill?
Takes in the Senate,” McConnell commented. He went on to stress that the Senate has a limited amount of time to act before the government runs out of funding.
The call for a short-term funding extension comes amidst the ongoing stalemate in Congress over funding for President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. Republicans have voiced concerns over the size and scope of the legislation, and some have suggested that the funding should be separated from the larger spending bill.
In light of this, McConnell’s proposal for a short-term funding extension is seen by some as a strategic move to gain leverage in negotiations. By providing more time for negotiations on the larger spending bill, McConnell hopes to extract concessions from Democrats on their policy priorities. This tactic has been used in the past during budget negotiations, where temporary funding measures are often used as a bargaining chip to secure other legislative priorities.
However, others view McConnell’s call for a short-term extension as a risky move that could result in a government shutdown. A government shutdown could have serious consequences, including delayed payments to federal workers, halted government services, and potential economic repercussions. The uncertainty caused by a shutdown could also have negative impacts on financial markets and consumer confidence. Therefore, some argue that it is crucial for McConnell and Johnson to find a middle ground and avoid a shutdown at all costs.
The tension between McConnell and Johnson highlights the broader divisions within the Republican Party over spending priorities and legislative strategy. While some Republicans, like McConnell, are advocating for a short-term funding extension, others are pushing for a more aggressive stance in negotiations with Democrats. This internal division could complicate efforts to reach a bipartisan agreement and may hinder progress on other legislative priorities.
As the Jan. 19 deadline approaches, it remains to be seen how the funding debate will unfold. The outcome will have significant implications for the functioning of the government as well as the broader political landscape. It is crucial for lawmakers on both sides to come together, find common ground, and ensure the government is funded in a timely manner to avoid any unnecessary disruptions.
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