As the halls of Congress remain quiet (a peaceful Yom Kippur to those observing), the political arena crackles with tension and Speaker Kevin McCarthy races against the clock to secure a government funding deal that can navigate the treacherous waters of the House, all while keeping his restless right-wing faction at bay.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown. He’s pushing forward with a bill that, as the shutdown clock ominously counts down, could soon become the only lifeline left for Washington. But remember, in this political arena, nothing is set in stone until the bill hits the floor.
Schumer initiated the move last week, laying the groundwork for a stopgap bill to keep the government operational past the looming Saturday deadline. Behind closed doors, party leaders are hashing out the nitty-gritty details, aiming for swift passage later this week.
Speed is of the essence. Over in the House, there’s a late Tuesday vote scheduled on four spending bills, and let’s not mince words: their passage, even along party lines, is far from certain, and they do nothing to avert the impending shutdown.
Senate discussions are still underway to determine the form of their government funding solution, but don’t be surprised if it’s swift and uncluttered—think a tidy four to six weeks. It needs to pass muster with Senate conservatives who hold the power to delay with unanimous consent and also with McCarthy, who’s on a mission to quell conservative anger and save his speakership.
Don’t expect any grand gestures on new Ukraine aid, as that might set off Sen. Rand Paul, who’s determined to slow down any bill involving additional funds for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s battle against Russia. There might also be some penny-pinching on the Biden administration’s disaster aid request, a tricky situation given Sen. Rick Scott’s push for a standalone vote on that funding.
By kicking the shutdown can further down the calendar, senators are granting themselves additional opportunities to revisit these contentious issues.
On Tuesday evening, senators will embark on a procedural vote, considering the House’s FAA bill as a potential vehicle for their funding debate. It’s no coincidence, as federal aviation law shares an expiration date with government funding on October 1. So, whatever plan emerges must extend aviation policy to avoid sky-high disruptions.
The race is on for unanimous consent from all 100 senators to prevent a brief government shutdown. Typically, such consensus emerges perilously close to the deadline.
If the Senate can navigate these perilous waters and pass a relatively clean funding patch, party leaders hope McCarthy will find it easier to navigate the turbulent House. Yet, the California Republican faces a daunting challenge: how to steer anything through the House without courting Democratic votes, a move that risks triggering a conservative uprising and a potential vote to oust him from power.
The stakes are soaring, the countdown relentless, and the political drama electrifying. Welcome to the thrilling spectacle of Washington’s high-stakes political arena!
