US Govt Shutdown Looms as House GOP Blocks Spending Bill

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Facts

• According to an official at the US Office of Management and Budget, the White House on Friday began the process of telling federal agencies to prepare for a shutdown following House Republican opposition to its own defense bill. This process is standard practice seven days ahead of an anticipated shut-down date.¹
• On Thursday, the US House of Representatives voted 216-212 against an $886B defense appropriations bill. Five Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the measures.²
• The House has subsequently canceled votes from Friday to Sunday, stating that 'ample notice' will be given for its future schedule.³
• While former Pres. Donald Trump has called on Republicans to 'defund all aspects' of the Biden Administration, Democrat House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized House Republicans for 'paralyzing Congress.'⁴
• Without a full-year funding bill, or a short-term continuing resolution, US federal agencies will begin to shut down on Oct. 1. The defeat in the House of Representatives comes after the 221-212 Republican majority met under Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Wednesday to reach a consensus within the party.⁵
• It was believed that, following the meeting, Republicans had agreed on $1.5T worth of spending measures — including the defense spending bill. Following the failed vote, McCarthy commented that some 'just want to burn the whole place down.'⁶

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Reuters, ³NBC, ⁴Abc news, ⁵Voa and ⁶BBC News.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by Washington post. Republicans have brought the House, and potentially the entire federal government, to a standstill thanks to circus-like infighting and a blind inability to understand the bigger picture. McCarthy must either cut a deal with the Democrats or give in to the far-right of his party — inevitably undermining his own position regardless of the decision made.
• Republican narrative, as provided by New York Post. More than anything, the House must be protected from the influence of the Democratic Party. Republican dissidents most likely will place party principles first — pushing pressure onto the Democrats as the funding deadline looms ever closer. The reckless policies of the Biden Admin. and his Democratic allies have created this political moment and soaring American debt.