Senate leaders are taking control of government funding negotiations, as they have lost confidence in Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ability to navigate a funding bill through the House. In an effort to avoid a government shutdown, senators have drafted a stopgap bill to maintain current funding levels until November 17, along with additional funds for Ukraine and disaster relief. This bill is seen as a “bridge” measure to buy more time for lawmakers to negotiate a longer-term funding agreement. The Senate plans to pass the bill by the end of the week and hopes that pressure from the approaching deadline will prompt McCarthy to bring it to the House floor.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described the bill as a stripped-down, uncontroversial measure to keep federal departments and agencies operating through the next month. While the Senate showed bipartisan support for the bill, Democrats may need to make concessions to get it through. Some Republican senators, although initially supporting the bill, have expressed the need for changes and additional funding for issues such as disaster relief. McCarthy, who has been frustrated by conservative members sabotaging previous spending measures, may be incentivized to bring the Senate bill to the House floor in order to avoid a government shutdown and maintain his leadership position.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell urged his colleagues to support the stopgap funding bill, emphasizing the negative consequences of a government shutdown. He stressed that shutdowns rarely result in meaningful policy outcomes and would disrupt the Senate’s important work. McCarthy suggested meeting with President Biden to negotiate a deal that includes provisions for securing the U.S.-Mexico border, potentially rallying support among House Republicans. The Senate vote puts pressure on McCarthy to bring a consensus bill to the House floor, with Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, House Democrats, and President Biden all supporting the measure. There is a potential obstacle in Senator Rand Paul, who threatens to delay the bill over Ukraine funding, possibly extending the debate and risking a technical shutdown.
In conclusion, Senate leaders are taking charge of funding negotiations amid concerns about Speaker McCarthy’s ability to navigate a bill through the House. The Senate has drafted a stopgap measure to maintain current funding levels, provide additional funds for Ukraine and disaster relief, and buy more time for negotiations on a longer-term agreement. The Senate plans to pass the bill, anticipating that pressure from a looming deadline will push McCarthy to bring it to the House floor. However, potential changes and additional funding requests may need to be addressed to secure a smooth passage. Leading lawmakers, including Schumer and McConnell, are urging their respective party members to support the bill and avoid a government shutdown. McCarthy is considering meetings with President Biden to incorporate border security provisions to gain support among House Republicans. The Senate vote is expected to increase pressure on McCarthy, while potential delays from Senator Rand Paul could pose a challenge in reaching an agreement before the deadline.