Divided Home GOP struggles to keep away from a authorities shutdown

WASHINGTON — Divided Home Republicans stumbled last week of their effort to move Speaker Mike Johnson’s invoice to fund the federal government.

They’ll take one other crack at a stopgap funding measure this week with simply 15 days remaining till cash runs out — and rising considerations a couple of federal government shutdown, together with amongst prime Republicans who fear in regards to the political fallout for his or her social gathering so near the Nov. 5 election.

“A authorities shutdown is all the time a foul thought, at any time,” Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., advised reporters.

Johnson, R-La., is “going to should get the votes — and he’s within the majority, so he’s bought to determine what the correct mixture is,” mentioned Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. “It’s kind of like a Rubik’s Dice.”

Cornyn, who’s operating to be the subsequent Senate GOP chief, didn’t categorical a desire on the size or particulars of a stopgap invoice, saying solely: “I’m for maintaining the lights on. That may be my essential objective.”

Johnson labored by the weekend, reaching out to varied factions in his 220-member GOP convention and looking for a path ahead on a short-term funding invoice earlier than the federal government shuts down at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1. The speaker’s preliminary technique had referred to as for a six-month persevering with decision (CR) tied to the SAVE Act, laws backed by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

However Johnson and the whip crew couldn’t muster the GOP votes wanted to move that bundle, and the speaker abruptly yanked the bill off the ground on Wednesday simply hours earlier than a scheduled vote.

In an interview on Fox Information’ “Fox & Buddies” on Monday morning, Johnson mentioned Republicans “have a duty to fund the federal government, and we have now a duty to make sure that the upcoming election is protected, honest and safe. And so I hooked up the SAVE Act to the CR and we’re working by having household conversations about the most effective path to get all that performed. I’m optimistic we will do each issues, and we have now an obligation to do it.”

Johnson’s activity is difficult by Trump and his operating mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, each egging on a struggle that might result in a authorities shutdown.

The Home invoice’s six-month time-frame, whereas favored by conservatives, is opposed by some senior Republicans.

Some conservative hard-liners mentioned they have been adamantly against supporting any CRs, whereas highly effective Armed Companies Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., mentioned he wouldn’t again the CR as a result of it will halt will increase in Pentagon funding for half a yr.    

It’s unclear whether or not Johnson this week will attempt to tweak the SAVE Act strategy or strive one thing solely totally different.

“We’re working by all of the choices proper now, however we’re fiercely dedicated to the SAVE Act,” Johnson advised NBC Information final week as lawmakers ready to go away the Capitol.

President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer and different Democrats, in addition to some Republicans, are pushing for a shorter-term invoice, with nothing hooked up, that funds the federal government at present ranges into December. That may give Congress the chance to finalize a funding deal within the lame duck session, with the objective of leaving a clear slate for the subsequent president and avoiding one other funding disaster early subsequent yr.

“We’d like a bipartisan invoice the place everybody comes collectively and figures out what to do,” Schumer advised reporters final week. “You’ve seen the chaos within the Home as a result of Speaker Johnson is making an attempt to do that in a partisan means, guided by the far proper — he’s not getting anyplace.”

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., the primary Republican to publicly state his opposition to a CR, mentioned Johnson may be capable to push a GOP invoice by the decrease chamber, but it surely’s “by no means going to turn out to be regulation” as a result of Democrats management the Senate.

“It’s theater!” Massie mentioned.

Whereas the Home is anticipated to behave first, the Senate could also be pressured to step in if Johnson and his caucus stay in a standoff for for much longer.

Republicans see the SAVE Act as a mechanism to attempt to pressure politically susceptible Democrats right into a tough place. However that tactic is much less potent when it comes with the specter of a shutdown.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who’s operating for re-election in a state that might resolve management of the Senate, mentioned he helps the invoice as a stand-alone.

“I don’t suppose it ought to be on the appropriations invoice. It simply mucks issues up,” Tester mentioned. “Take it to the ground and debate it. I’ll vote for it. Despite the fact that it’s not essential. It’s already illegal” for noncitizens to vote, he added.