Congress Faces Crisis as Speaker McCarthy Struggles to Secure Support for Government Funding Package Before Sunday Deadline

With the government shutdown looming on Sunday, Congress is in a state of crisis as Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces an insurrection from hard-right Republicans who are pushing for deeper spending cuts. The House is set to vote on a package of bills that would fund parts of the government, but it is uncertain if McCarthy has the necessary support.

The bipartisan bill, negotiated between the Democratic majority and Republican minority, includes $6 billion in aid to Ukraine and $6 billion in emergency FEMA funding for disaster relief. It is unclear if the chamber can pass the bill before the Sunday deadline, as it would require unanimous consent to hold a quick vote. The bill also prevents a lapse in FAA authorities through the end of the year and prevents a pay cut for federal firefighters.

The Senate will begin voting Tuesday evening to debate the measure with the hope of passing it before October 1st. With tensions high and options limited, it is uncertain what the outcome will be. When asked about keeping the government open, McCarthy quipped “It’s easy.”

The fate of the government shutdown is in the hands of Congress, and it is unclear what the outcome will be. With the deadline quickly approaching, lawmakers are scrambling to find a solution that will keep the government open and prevent a lapse in services for millions of Americans.