Last-minute effort to avoid US government shutdown

SGGP 10/02/2023 06:03

On September 30 (local time), after the US Senate passed a temporary budget bill, US President Joe Biden signed this law into law to prevent the risk of a partial government shutdown before 0:00 on October 1.

The bill would keep the government running through November 17. The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 335 to 91. The bill, introduced by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, would fund the government for 45 days but would not include additional aid for Ukraine.

Democrats described the outcome as a victory. “The radical MAGA Republicans lost, the American people won,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, referring to former President Donald Trump’s signature Make America Great Again slogan. “I am relieved that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has caved and finally allowed a bipartisan vote to stop Republicans’ disastrous attempt to hastily shut down the government,” said Democratic Rep. Don Beyer.

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks to reporters after the temporary bill was passed in Washington, September 30. Photo: REUTERS

Republicans are deeply divided over the size of the national debt. A small group of conservative lawmakers on the right have tried to block passage of both the budget bill and House Speaker McCarthy’s plan to keep the government running. McCarthy dismissed concerns that Republican hardliners might try to undermine his leadership: “If I have to risk my job to stand up for the American public, I will do it.”

Votes on budget bills in the US Congress often reach a deadlock as both the Democratic and Republican parties try to take advantage of the risk of a government shutdown to pressure the other side to make concessions. However, the two sides still reach a compromise at the last minute to keep the government running.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/no-luc-phut-chot-tranh-dong-cua-chinh-phu-my-post707988.html