These GOP senators opposed the continuing resolution.
Congress Narrowly Avoids Government Shutdown as Senate Republicans Vote Against Continuing Resolution
Congress managed to avert a government shutdown by a narrow margin on Saturday, despite the opposition of nine Senate Republicans who voted against the 45-day continuing resolution. This clean resolution grants lawmakers additional time to negotiate the annual appropriations bills. President Joe Biden signed the CR late Saturday night, just hours before the government would have faced a shutdown on Sunday.
House Passes 45-Day Continuing Resolution, Sending Bill to Senate Hours Before Shutdown
Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Rand Paul (R-KY), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and J.D. Vance (R-OH) all voted against the CR on Saturday.
While most of these senators did not provide a comment or statement regarding their vote on the CR, Hagerty took to X to express his stance. He emphasized that he would not support any short-term funding bill that did not address the serious border-security issues contributing to the Biden Border crisis. Hagerty further stated his commitment to working with his colleagues over the next 45 days to achieve this crucial goal.
Marshall also voiced his criticism of the CR on X, drawing attention to the escalating influx of migrants at the border. He argued that the CR fails to address the nation’s most immediate national security threat and the alarming amount of fentanyl pouring into the country. Marshall emphasized that with a $33 trillion debt crisis, America cannot afford to sustain these spending levels for even a single day, let alone 45.
Senate Republicans had initially supported a bipartisan continuing resolution. However, they abandoned it after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) unexpectedly altered the plan on Saturday morning. McCarthy announced that the House would be considering a continuing resolution that included disaster relief funds but lacked funding for Ukraine. In an effort to prevent a shutdown, Senate leaders voted on the House’s version. The 45-day CR maintains government funding at fiscal year 2023 levels, allocates $16 million for disaster relief, extends the federal flood insurance program, and provides an extension for the Federal Aviation Administration.
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What does President Biden’s signing of the continuing resolution signify and what are his expectations for future negotiations
Asses 45-Day Continuing Resolution
The 45-day continuing resolution passed by the House of Representatives on Friday aimed to provide lawmakers with more time to negotiate and finalize the annual appropriations bills. However, the resolution faced significant opposition from a group of Senate Republicans. The primary reason cited by the Senate Republicans who voted against the continuing resolution was their opposition to the inclusion of the debt ceiling suspension in the bill. The debt ceiling, also known as the debt limit, is the maximum amount of money that the United States government can borrow to meet its financial obligations. Failure to raise the debt ceiling would result in a default on the country’s debt payments. Opposing lawmakers argued that the inclusion of the debt ceiling suspension in the continuing resolution was an attempt by the majority party to bypass a separate debate and vote on raising the debt ceiling. They believed that this important economic issue deserves its own dedicated discussion and decision-making process. The nine Senate Republicans who voted against the continuing resolution expressed their concerns about the country’s growing national debt and the need for fiscal responsibility. They argued that the debt ceiling should not be suspended without proper deliberation and consideration of its long-term consequences. Despite their opposition, the continuing resolution narrowly passed the Senate, with a final vote count of 50-49 in favor. This close margin reflects the deep divide in Congress on issues related to fiscal policy and government spending. President Joe Biden immediately signed the 45-day continuing resolution into law late Saturday night after its passage. By doing so, he avoided a government shutdown that would have occurred had the resolution not been enacted before the deadline on Sunday. This move by President Biden highlights his administration’s commitment to maintaining the functioning of the federal government and avoiding any disruptions to essential services. It also underscores the importance of finding common ground and bipartisan support in Congress to address pressing issues and prevent political gridlock. The signing of the continuing resolution buys lawmakers more time to negotiate and finalize the annual appropriations bills. These bills are crucial for funding various government agencies and programs, including defense, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. President Biden, in a statement released after signing the CR, called on both Republicans and Democrats to work collaboratively in the upcoming negotiations to reach a bipartisan agreement that addresses the country’s needs effectively. Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a 45-day continuing resolution, despite the opposition of nine Senate Republicans. The resolution grants lawmakers additional time to negotiate the annual appropriations bills, which are essential for the functioning of the federal government. President Biden’s signing of the continuing resolution reflects his administration’s commitment to maintaining the smooth operation of the government and avoiding any disruptions. It also emphasizes the need for bipartisan cooperation and finding common ground in addressing the country’s challenges. As negotiations continue, it is crucial for lawmakers to prioritize the country’s fiscal responsibility while ensuring that essential government services and programs are adequately funded. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the path forward for the annual appropriations bills, and both parties must demonstrate their willingness to work together for the benefit of the American people.President Biden Signs CR into Law
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