The White House is currently revising and enhancing its government shutdown strategy
The White House’s Contingency Plans in Motion
The buzz around the White House is all about the “reviewing and updating” of plans, preparing for the potential shutdown of federal agencies if the Senate fails to advance crucial legislation before the looming weekend.
The House managed to push through a funding bill for the government, but the big question mark hangs over whether the Senate will follow suit before the crucial midnight deadline on Friday.
The Waiting Game
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre delivered insights on President Joe Biden’s optimism about a timely bill passage, yet she confirmed the proactive development of a “contingency” strategy for a temporary government closure.
Emphasizing the urgency, Jean-Pierre highlighted during a Friday briefing, “Congress can prevent this partial shutdown. We firmly believe there’s still time to avert this scenario. So, it’s crystal clear – we are actively revamping and enhancing our contingency plan as a precautionary measure.”
She detailed the potential impact, mentioning, “Federal employees across various agencies, including White House staff, face furloughs. It’s a glimpse into what could unfold if action is not taken swiftly to avoid a partial shutdown. The ball is in Congress’s court to act responsibly and avert a crisis.”
Anticipating the Unknown
The White House’s proactive stance is evident, with published contingency plans to manage the risk of federal office closures under the shadow of a possible government shutdown threat.
Although Senate approval of the government funding bill is on the horizon, any unexpected delays from lawmakers could hinder Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer from steering the legislation for a crucial vote on Friday night.
With congressional lawmakers set to break for a 16-day recess by week’s end, Schumer might explore a Sunday vote option in case of objections, aiming to ensure progress despite potential hiccups on Friday.
Legislation Overview
The bill in contention allocates $1.2 trillion for key departments like Defense, State, Homeland Security, Treasury, Labor, Education, Health and Human Services, among others. Additionally, funding provisions cover vital agencies like the Small Business Administration, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission, and more.
For further details, you can catch the entire briefing from Friday below:
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