Schumer calls for Congress to align as funding deadline approaches.
Senate Majority Leader Urges Urgency in Avoiding Government Shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) emphasized the importance of avoiding a “pointless shutdown” as the Senate’s top priority. Despite facing resistance from hard-line conservatives in the House, Schumer called on his colleagues to treat the situation with urgency.
Last week, the White House urged Congress to pass a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government beyond Sept. 30, allowing more time for negotiations on the coming fiscal year. However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is encountering opposition to even this temporary measure from some members of his conference who openly support a government shutdown.
Working Together for a Solution
“By the end of this month, the House and the Senate, Democrats and Republicans, all must get on the same page about keeping the government open and avoiding a pointless shutdown,” Schumer emphasized during a speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday, marking their return after a six-week break.
Before the August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved all 12 bills in accordance with the spending limits outlined in the debt ceiling deal negotiated by President Joe Biden and McCarthy. The agreement sets a cap of $886 billion for overall national security spending in fiscal 2024, representing a 3% increase from current levels. Defense spending in fiscal 2025 would be capped at $895 billion, a 1% increase from the previous year.
“Look no further than the example we have set here in a bipartisan way in the Senate. Democrats working with Republicans on a bipartisan basis, chairs, Democratic chairs engaging fruitfully with Republican vice chairs and ranking members,” Schumer highlighted. “It is a very good template for how things should work in Congress.”
Clash with the GOP-Led House
This sets the stage for a clash with the GOP-led House, where many members opposed the debt ceiling deal and refused to vote in favor of it. Numerous conservatives, dissatisfied with the deal’s lack of significant spending cuts, have pressured the speaker to lower top lines that Democrats are unwilling to pass.
Time is of the essence. While the Senate returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the House is scheduled to reconvene next week, leaving only 11 days before the government’s fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.
The full House managed to pass only one of the 12 must-pass measures before departing for recess.
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